Sir James Paget. Bart., F.R.C.S., F.R.S. c. 1876 - 1881

Editor: Here we have “Sir James Paget. Bart., F.R.C.S., F.R.S.” created sometime between 1876 and 1881 by Herbert Rose Barraud, currently held in the Rijksmuseum. It has the solemn air of an official portrait in an aged book. What strikes you when you look at this image? Curator: Well, the aged paper whispers stories of a time when medical science was rapidly evolving, and individuals like Sir James Paget were at the forefront. Notice how the photograph, sepia-toned with that elegant frame, sits opposite a title page, almost a mirror image. Doesn't it feel like you've stumbled upon a cherished, leather-bound medical journal? I can almost smell the old paper! Do you see how the rigid formality softens thanks to the slightly faded type, or that nearly whimsical border design around the portrait? Editor: Absolutely! It feels very personal. But what exactly do you make of the pairing of the photograph and the printed title page? Curator: I think that's key. It's a deliberate framing – no pun intended! - placing Paget within the context of his work and his era. Photography at this time was still relatively new, and combining it with established printing techniques gave the portrait weight and authority. The facing text hints at all the detail and rigour of medical observation. But does it also suggest that celebrity, the human alongside science? What are your thoughts on the expression in Paget's eyes? Editor: He seems to be thoughtful but maybe a bit world-weary. He has lived! Looking at the work this way, it really humanizes him, like a memory carefully preserved. Curator: Precisely. I find it so telling, that this portrait of a great medical mind isn't sterile, cold, or purely objective, but instead is held together like pages in a well-loved book. Maybe even pressed flowers hidden inside... Editor: That makes you wonder what other treasures might be hidden in these pages. I guess we should all have our portraits framed this beautifully! Curator: Indeed. It transforms mere image to artifact and invites contemplation. I must confess, it even makes me feel a little nostalgic for a time I never knew!