Jonathan Richardson c. 18th century

Curator: This is a drawing by Jonathan Richardson Sr., a self-portrait, now held at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: There's an arresting directness to his gaze; it feels like he's appraising the viewer, almost challenging us. Curator: Richardson was a prominent portraitist and art theorist in the early 18th century, deeply influential within the London art scene. His writings helped to solidify the Grand Manner of portraiture. Editor: The etching feels incredibly intimate, though. Knowing the period, I wonder about the performance of masculinity here. Is he projecting authority, or is there a vulnerability hinted at in those fine lines? Curator: It's important to remember the social function of portraiture at the time. This image would have circulated among his peers, reinforcing his status within the artistic community. Editor: True, but consider how the details—the softness around the eyes, the slight asymmetry—complicate that reading. Perhaps it speaks to the artist's own negotiation of his public persona. Curator: It makes you think about the role of artists then. Editor: Definitely, and of images now.