Mrs. Sarah Gilly c. 17th century

Curator: Here we have William Faithorne the Elder's portrait of Mrs. Sarah Gilly. Editor: It strikes me as rather severe, almost stoic, despite the decorative frame and flourishes. Curator: Indeed. The composition is built on formal contrasts: the hard lines of the frame against the soft curls, the rigid hatching versus the gentle curve of her neckline. Editor: The coat of arms suggests status, but the unicorn heads especially, speak to something more. Unicorns, of course, often symbolize purity and grace. Curator: An apt reading, as the artist masterfully uses line and shading to convey not just likeness, but a calculated representation of virtue. Editor: A powerful image, ripe with the complexities of status and symbolic weight. Curator: A testament to Faithorne's ability to capture the essence of his subject through carefully constructed form.