Joseph Sherburne c. 1767 - 1770

This is John Singleton Copley's portrait of Joseph Sherburne, made with oil on canvas. Here, the sitter’s hand, gently placed on the table, becomes a potent symbol, quietly commanding attention. The gesture echoes across time, from ancient Roman orators to Renaissance nobility, each carefully posed hand speaking volumes about power, intellect, and control. Think of the subtle hand gestures in Raphael’s "School of Athens," where Plato's hand gestures upward, symbolizing abstract thought. Notice how the apparently simple gesture becomes imbued with layers of significance. The conscious and subconscious converge as each subject conveys a sense of self-assuredness. These symbols are not static; they evolve, adapt, and reappear, echoing through the corridors of art history.