Lord Mansfield c. 18th century

Editor: This is Francesco Bartolozzi’s portrait of Lord Mansfield. He’s wearing elaborate robes and a wig; there's a lot of emphasis on status and power here. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Beyond the overt display of power, I see a complex figure deeply entangled in the history of slavery and abolition. Mansfield presided over the Somerset case, a landmark legal battle that had profound implications for enslaved people in England. Editor: How so? Curator: While Mansfield's decision contributed to the eventual legal dismantling of slavery in England, his personal views and financial interests were much more ambiguous. His family benefited from the slave trade, raising questions about performative activism versus genuine progress. Editor: That's a lot to consider when looking at a portrait. I guess what seems like a simple image holds a lot of historical weight. Curator: Absolutely. Art invites us to critically examine these complex narratives, especially when considering issues of race, class, and justice.