7. Portrait of John Yenn, Full Length 1796

Curator: Here we have George Dance's "Portrait of John Yenn, Full Length," a small pencil drawing held at the Tate. Editor: Well, my first impression is that this fellow looks like he's about to deliver some very important news, or perhaps a stern lecture! Curator: Indeed. Dance was known for his architectural drawings, but also for these characterful portraits, often of contemporaries. Yenn was actually treasurer of the Royal Academy. Editor: It's amazing how much personality Dance captures with so few lines. There's a real sense of presence, of this man filling up the room, even in this tiny sketch. Curator: It's a study in power and status rendered with an almost satirical edge, reflecting the social hierarchies of the late 18th century. Editor: It's fascinating how a simple sketch can reveal so much about both the subject and the society in which he lived. Curator: Absolutely. It's a glimpse into a different world, captured in a fleeting moment.