Evangelinus Apostolides Sophocles (1800?-1883) 1891

Editor: Here we have Francis Davis Millet's portrait of Evangelinus Apostolides Sophocles. The striking contrast between the dark background and the subject's beard immediately caught my eye. What can you tell me about this work? Curator: Looking at the materials and production, consider the accessibility of portraiture at this time. Who was able to commission such a piece, and what social standing did that imply for both the sitter and the artist? Editor: That's a great point. It makes me wonder about the labor involved in creating it, from the mining of pigments to the weaving of the canvas. Curator: Exactly! And consider the consumption of art in that period. How did portraits like this function within the economy of representation and status? Editor: I never thought about it in terms of labor and consumption before. It gives a totally different perspective. Curator: Indeed. Shifting the focus to the means of production can radically alter how we value and understand art.