George, Prince of Wales c. 18th century

Curator: This is Joseph Collyer's portrait of George, Prince of Wales. I'm struck by the rather somber mood of it, despite the trappings of royalty. Editor: It's a study in contrasts, isn’t it? Look at the density of the textures achieved through the engraving process, yet the overall tone remains muted. Collyer was a master engraver, widely celebrated; the print would have been produced and distributed on a mass scale. Curator: And that distribution is key. Reproducing and circulating images of the Prince served to reinforce his image as a powerful and established ruler. The symbols surrounding him, the crown and heraldry, speak to that. Editor: Precisely, though I'm also drawn to how the artist uses light and shadow. Observe how the soft light illuminates his face, creating a focal point, and consider how the gaze is averted, imbuing the subject with a sense of introspection. Curator: It’s a manufactured intimacy, though. We’re meant to feel close, while still acknowledging the distance of power and class. The commercialization of this image through engraving is central to its purpose. Editor: An intriguing intersection of form and social function; I hadn't considered the piece this way before. Curator: It gives you a lot to consider about the relationship between power and image production!