Portrait of a Man 

Editor: This is Henry Edridge’s "Portrait of a Man," created sometime around the late 18th or early 19th century. It's quite striking. What do you see in this work in the context of portraiture at the time? Curator: Edridge operated in a fascinating period. The rise of the middle class meant a surge in demand for portraits. They became less about nobility and more about projecting respectability and social standing. Notice the sitter's direct gaze and the formality of his attire. How does this compare to earlier, more aristocratic portraiture? Editor: It feels more… accessible, somehow. Less about power, more about character. Curator: Exactly. The emerging public sphere valued qualities like diligence and reason. Edridge’s portraits played a role in visualizing and promoting those values. It's a fascinating example of how art and social change intertwine. Editor: I hadn't considered that. Thanks!