Thomas Hubbard (1702-1773) c. 1767

Editor: Here we have John Singleton Copley's portrait of Thomas Hubbard. It's grand, imposing even. What do you make of the symbols Copley employs here? Curator: The articles, spectacles, and key are potent symbols of Hubbard's societal role. The spectacles suggest learnedness, and the key perhaps signifies access or authority. What feelings do these objects evoke in you? Editor: I see a man of importance, deeply embedded in his community. Is that what Copley was trying to convey? Curator: Precisely. The very act of commissioning a portrait speaks to a desire for legacy, for visual permanence. Copley delivers that through these carefully chosen symbols. Editor: That’s fascinating; I hadn’t considered how directly the objects spoke to Hubbard’s role. Curator: The objects also convey a sense of continuity, a connection to a past and a future that he is helping to shape. Editor: I definitely appreciate this portrait and the use of symbolism more now. Thank you.