[title not known] 

Editor: Here we have an ink drawing by Charles Martin, simply titled "[title not known]" and undated, held at the Tate. The strokes are so expressive, almost gestural. What can you tell us about the social context of portraiture in this era? Curator: Consider how the rise of the middle class impacted art patronage. Were portraits becoming more accessible, democratizing representation? How did this affect the stylistic choices artists made? Editor: So, rather than just documenting a likeness, it becomes about representing societal shifts. Curator: Exactly. The artist uses the portrait to explore broader social changes. What do you notice about the sitter's gaze, or her clothing? How might these details reflect or challenge social norms of the time? Editor: It’s interesting to think about portraiture not just as an image of someone, but as a social statement. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure. Examining these pieces through that lens reveals so much.