Ebenezer Storer (1722-1807), after J.S. Copley c. 19th century

Editor: Here we have William Henry Furness Jr.'s rendering of Ebenezer Storer, after J.S. Copley, currently residing at the Harvard Art Museums. It’s a rather formal portrait, but I’m drawn to the softness of the lines. What story do you think it’s trying to tell? Curator: Well, portraits are often about legacy, right? This feels like a quiet nod to Storer's importance, softened by Furness's hand. The lack of precise dating also lends a timeless quality, almost as if memory and observation are playing peek-a-boo. Don't you think? Editor: That makes sense, I hadn't considered the timeless aspect before. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure! Art's about seeing what whispers to you, and sometimes, the whispers change over time.