Sir Laurence Carter 1733

Editor: This is "Sir Laurence Carter," a portrait by George Vertue. The wig is so striking, it practically radiates status. What kind of symbolism do you see in this piece? Curator: Wigs, especially of this scale, immediately signal power and authority. Think about what they obscure, and what they project. It's about constructing a public persona, almost a mask. What does that say about Sir Laurence Carter? Editor: That he's performing a role, maybe? I hadn't thought of it that way. Curator: Exactly! And the frame, almost like a window, reinforces that sense of a carefully curated image presented to the world. It's less about individual likeness and more about symbolic representation. Editor: So, it's less about who he was, and more about what he represented? That's a great perspective. Curator: Precisely! It shows how images become powerful carriers of cultural values.