King Henry III c. 18th century

Editor: So, here we have George Vertue’s portrait of King Henry III. It's… intricate, almost fussy with all the detail. What strikes me is how the floral frame seems to soften what could be quite a severe royal image. What do you make of it? Curator: Ah, yes! Vertue, bless his heart, always had a flair for the decorative. I see this as a dance between power and… well, let's call it the *idea* of kingship. It’s not just about Henry III; it’s about how Vertue and his audience *imagined* him. What does that make you think about portraiture in general? Editor: That it's as much about the artist as the subject? Fascinating. Curator: Precisely! Each line, each choice is a little whisper from the past, telling us not just about a king, but about the very act of remembering. Editor: I’ll definitely look at portraits differently now. Thanks!