Mrs Richard Cumberland and her Son Charles c. 1770

Curator: Here we have George Romney’s "Mrs Richard Cumberland and her Son Charles," residing here at the Tate. It's a touching portrait, wouldn't you agree? Editor: Absolutely. It’s the gaze of the child that really pulls me in. The boy looks up, almost searching, towards something unseen, bathed in light—it's a striking contrast to the mother's downward glance. Curator: That upward gaze, that's innocence, aspiration maybe? The mother's protective embrace – the shawl is an age-old symbol of safety, of the maternal. Editor: It's interesting, isn't it? The way childhood is often idealized, presented as this untainted state of wonder. While the mother is grounded, earthbound, almost burdened. I feel this painting encapsulates that beautifully. Curator: Romney captures a fleeting tenderness. Art, like memory, is about holding onto those moments. What this painting makes me wonder is what's outside of it; what happens next? Editor: Yes, me too. I leave here contemplating the enduring power of these symbols, these stories we tell ourselves through images.