George Lincoln Goodale (1839-1923) c. 20th century

Editor: This is Blanche Ames Ames's portrait of George Lincoln Goodale. I'm struck by the texture of the paint and the material of his academic robes. What can you tell me about the painting's production? Curator: Given Ames’s background, I find the material choices fascinating. The canvas itself, the pigments selected, and their application all speak to the means available to a woman artist within the constraints of her time and social standing. Consider the implied labor and resources required. Editor: That's a great point; I hadn't thought about the materials as a reflection of the artist's position in society. Curator: Exactly! By considering the material aspects, we see beyond a simple portrait to the wider social and economic structures at play. Editor: Thank you. I’ll never look at portraits the same way again.