14. John Richards RA. Secretary of the Royal Academy 1795

Editor: Here we have a drawing of John Richards, Secretary of the Royal Academy, by George Dance. It feels… well, rather unflattering! What do you see in it? Curator: Oh, it's a cheeky jab, isn't it? Dance’s portraits often have a touch of caricature. Look at the oversized hat, the puffed-out chest. It's like a playful dig at Richards's self-importance. Maybe Dance felt Richards was a bit pompous? What do you think? Editor: I suppose that’s possible! It does seem to diminish his power, portraying him this way. Curator: Precisely! And that’s often the point of caricature, isn’t it? A little bit of fun, a little bit of truth, and a whole lot of personality shining through. I see it as a very good drawing overall. Editor: That's a great point; I’ll keep that in mind. Thanks!