William Gilchrist Gordon, New Bedford, Massachusetts (1836-1913) 1858

Editor: So, this is a portrait of William Gilchrist Gordon by John Adams Whipple. The image itself is dated November 14, 1856, and it's at the Harvard Art Museums. It’s quite striking, almost haunting in its simplicity. What do you see in this piece, beyond the formal portrait? Curator: Well, isn’t it interesting how the oval framing gives the image the feeling of a locket, holding a precious memory? I wonder what Gordon was like. Perhaps he was a dreamer, like many of us? The sepia tones lend a sense of melancholy, a wistful gaze back at a time long gone. Editor: I hadn’t thought about the locket comparison, that’s a great point! I was more focused on the somber mood. Curator: It’s all about layers, isn't it? The mood, the method, the memory... it’s a conversation across time. It makes me wonder about my own portrait, should someone choose to make one. Editor: Agreed! It's fascinating how a single image can spark so many questions.