A Lady with Hands Folded c. 1760

Editor: Here we have Samuel Scott's "A Lady with Hands Folded," currently residing in the Tate Collections. The watercolor rendering creates a soft, almost ethereal feel. What can you tell me about the role of imagery like this in its time? Curator: This work reflects the growing merchant class and their increasing desire for visibility. Scott, known for topographical paintings, here turns to portraiture, signifying how art became a tool for social climbing and self-representation. The lady's attire, while fashionable, also signifies her family's economic standing. Editor: So, it's less about personal expression and more about societal positioning? Curator: Precisely! Portraiture served as a marker of status, reflecting the subject's and their family's participation in the socio-economic landscape. The delicate watercolor hints at the idealization of the feminine, yet grounded in tangible wealth. Editor: Fascinating to consider art as such a deliberate social statement. Curator: Indeed, every artistic choice then becomes a commentary on the politics of appearance.