Samuel Adams (1722-1803), after John Singleton Copley (1738-1815) c. 1818

Curator: Before us, we have Bass Otis's rendering "Samuel Adams (1722-1803), after John Singleton Copley (1738-1815)." The piece is currently held at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It's a somber portrait, isn't it? The stark lighting emphasizes Adams's expression while much of the piece seems shrouded in shadow. Curator: Indeed. Otis, born in 1784, was working well after the height of Adams's political activity. The choice of Copley's earlier portrait as source material speaks volumes about Adams's lasting influence on the public consciousness. Editor: The materiality here, the way the paint is worked, also hints at an understanding of power – perhaps mirroring the austerity associated with revolutionary ideals. Curator: A compelling point. Reflecting on these nuances enriches our view of Adams and how he wished to be memorialized. Editor: Absolutely. It also prompts us to consider the role of portraiture itself as a tool for shaping historical narratives.