Hugh Scott of Arden c. 1788

Editor: This is George Romney's portrait of Hugh Scott of Arden. It's stately, but also feels a bit…reserved. What symbols or imagery do you notice that might give us more insight? Curator: Consider the powdered wig. It was a symbol of status and intellect, carrying the weight of societal expectation. What does the tight, almost severe style suggest to you? Editor: Perhaps a need to conform, to project an image of control? Curator: Precisely. It speaks to a desire for order, a visual echo of the Enlightenment's emphasis on reason. He's performing a role, embodying a particular ideal. Editor: So, the portrait isn’t just a likeness, but a carefully constructed image? I hadn't thought about it that way.