Judge John Lowell (1743-1802) c. 1800

Editor: Here we have John Johnston’s portrait of Judge John Lowell, painted sometime around the late 18th century. It’s a fairly straightforward depiction, but I’m curious about what it meant to present oneself in this way during that era. What can you tell me about the socio-political context of this piece? Curator: Well, portraiture of this kind served a crucial function. It solidified social standing and visually reinforced power structures. Lowell’s severe gaze and formal attire weren’t just about personal taste, they were about projecting authority and belonging to a specific class. Consider the institutions he was part of and how this image would circulate within those circles. Editor: So it’s less about individual expression and more about societal roles? Curator: Precisely! And how those roles were reinforced and maintained through visual cues. It’s fascinating to consider how images like these played a part in shaping public perception. Editor: I never thought about portraiture as actively working to uphold social norms. That’s a really insightful perspective!