John Lowell (1856-1922) 1896

Curator: This is Ignaz Marcel Gaugengigl’s portrait of John Lowell, likely painted around 1896. It's currently housed at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It has a very somber, almost severe, quality. The palette is muted, and he seems quite imposing against the backdrop of the books. Curator: Absolutely. The books are key, though. Lowell was a prominent figure in Boston's intellectual circles. Gaugengigl uses this backdrop to signify Lowell's erudition, placing him amongst his books, signifiers of knowledge and societal power. Editor: The portrait reflects the era's values. Notice the deliberate staging; it's a carefully constructed image, projecting Lowell as an upstanding pillar of society. He is a personification of the Brahmin class, and his status as such. Curator: Indeed, the portrait reflects how individuals wanted to be perceived in that era. The books, clothing, and stern expression all contribute to a specific narrative of social standing. Editor: Art always communicates something about the world it occupies, doesn't it? A somber reflection of its time. Curator: It's a fascinating lens through which to view cultural values, wouldn't you agree?