Jedidiah Morse (1761-1826) 1823

Editor: This is Samuel Morse's portrait of Jedidiah Morse. It's a small oil painting. There's something serious about the man's gaze and the dark tones. What can you tell me about its historical context? Curator: Given that Jedidiah Morse was a prominent geographer and clergyman, and his son, Samuel, painted this, it speaks to the role of portraiture in solidifying social standing. How might this image have functioned within their social circles? Editor: As a kind of status symbol, maybe? To show their importance? Curator: Precisely. The painting becomes an artifact of social aspiration and familial legacy, reflecting the politics embedded within portraiture. Editor: I hadn't considered that portraits could be so politically charged. Thanks!