Sir Benjamin Thompson, later Count Rumford (1753-1814) 1796

Editor: This is a small portrait of Sir Benjamin Thompson, later Count Rumford, created by James Tassie. I'm struck by how the artist rendered the texture of his hair in such detail. What do you notice about the composition and structure of this piece? Curator: Note the Neoclassical emphasis on line and contour, defining the profile with an almost mathematical precision. The subtle gradation of relief, and the arrangement of forms create a powerful sense of depth within the confines of the oval. Observe the texture of the jabot against the smooth polished surface of the background. What does that juxtaposition tell us? Editor: It seems like the contrast emphasizes the man's status. I hadn't considered that the textures play such a crucial role. Curator: Indeed. Through close analysis, we discover how Tassie uses form to convey meaning.