Councillor W. Edgar, JP 

Richard Jack painted "Councillor W. Edgar, JP," depicting a figure adorned in the traditional robes and chain of office. These symbols carry the weight of civic authority, echoing the vestments of magistrates and even the mantles of ancient rulers. The chain, a series of linked emblems, harkens back to the Roman practice of bestowing necklaces upon senators, a visual cue of power and responsibility. Think of similar adornments in Renaissance portraits, each link a testament to lineage and dominion. Yet, here, the fur trim introduces a primal element, reminiscent of tribal chieftains cloaked in animal skins. This duality—civilized governance and raw, natural authority—creates a tension. The portrait becomes more than a depiction; it is a stage upon which the Councillor plays a role in an age-old drama of power, resonating with our collective memory of leadership, its burdens and its allure.