Portrait of Mary Wise c. 1774

Thomas Gainsborough painted this portrait of Mary Wise, a member of the British upper class, using oil on canvas. Here, we can see how portraiture served as a means of cementing social status in 18th century Britain. Gainsborough was a master of capturing the likeness and personality of his sitters while also subtly conveying their social standing through costume, pose, and setting. The elaborate dress and jewelry that Mary is wearing are visual markers of her wealth and position in society. Her pose is also quite telling. She's not presented in a way that suggests any kind of labor or activity. Instead, she's shown in a moment of quiet contemplation, which was considered an appropriate pose for women of her class. As historians, we can explore the account books, letters, and other archival materials to understand not only the artist's intentions, but also the expectations of the patrons who commissioned these works.