Oliver Wendell Holmes (1809-1894) 1859

Editor: This is Thomas Buchanan Read’s portrait of Oliver Wendell Holmes. I’m drawn to the somber color palette. What stands out to you in this piece? Curator: Notice the materiality: oil on canvas. Think about the labor involved in producing those materials and the artist’s careful application. It speaks to the commodification of portraiture at the time. How does the social status of both the artist and the sitter play into this? Editor: I hadn't considered that angle. So, it's not just about capturing a likeness, but about the social and economic forces at play. Curator: Exactly. It's about the production and consumption of art within a specific social context. Editor: That gives me a lot to think about, thank you! Curator: It was a pleasure.