George William Fairfax 1816

Joseph Wood made this miniature portrait of George William Fairfax, likely in the early 19th century, using watercolor on ivory. Small portraits like these were fashionable in both Europe and America and acted as intimate keepsakes, often circulated amongst family members or close friends. The gentleman depicted here projects an air of respectability and affluence through his fashionable dress. It's easy to imagine a world in which portraiture was only accessible to a wealthy elite. The subject's social standing allowed him to participate in the rituals of portraiture, which at this time, served as a status symbol. These are highly constructed images, which historians can examine for evidence about cultural attitudes, social stratification, and the performance of identity in a specific time and place. Research into probate records, tax rolls, newspapers, and diaries helps us understand such things better. The museum itself, of course, plays a role in maintaining the social value of works like this.