J.H. Brae of Church Street c. 1820 - 1825

Editor: This is "J.H. Brae of Church Street," attributed to Thomas Ware. I'm struck by the texture of the paint and the subject's clothing. What can you tell me about the materials and how they might speak to the social context? Curator: The materiality is key. Note the dark, heavy coat. It suggests a certain level of investment, but the somewhat crude brushstrokes hint at a provincial artist and perhaps a sitter not of the highest social rank, but aspiring to it. Editor: So the painting itself becomes a form of social mobility? Curator: Precisely. The act of commissioning a portrait, regardless of the artist's skill, speaks to a desire for upward mobility and memorialization. It's about being seen and remembered. Editor: That gives me a lot to think about, especially the relationship between the materials and social class. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure. Considering the means of production opens up exciting avenues for interpretation.