Francis Calley Gray c. 19th century

Editor: Here we have Lazarus Gottlieb Sichling’s portrait of Francis Calley Gray. He looks quite serious, doesn't he? How do you interpret this work? Curator: Well, portraits, especially engravings like this, were often about conveying status. Notice the books and the bust? They whisper of intellect, of Gray’s connection to the world of knowledge. Do you see that too? Editor: Yes, now that you mention it, I do! It's almost like a little stage set. Curator: Exactly! And the sharp lines, the formality, they all contribute to this image of a man of importance. It makes you wonder what he was really like, behind the pose, doesn't it? Editor: It does! I never thought about how much a portrait can tell you.