The Reverend Calvin Hitchcock c. 1841 - 1846

Curator: This is William Rimmer's portrait of *The Reverend Calvin Hitchcock*, housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. What are your initial thoughts? Editor: Intimate. I get a sense of quiet dignity, almost resignation. Look at the way he holds that book; it’s like a weight, not a source of joy. Curator: Rimmer, born in 1816, was a fascinating figure himself, trained as a physician, sculptor, and lecturer. One wonders about the commission process, the labor involved in creating this image. Editor: Absolutely, and I think Rimmer’s own struggle comes through. There's a sadness in the eyes, a lack of idealization. He doesn’t flatter Hitchcock. Curator: I agree. The somber palette and limited depth emphasize the sitter's austerity, reflecting perhaps the social constraints and expectations placed upon religious figures. Editor: It's a striking work, particularly in its willingness to look beyond the surface. It makes one question the cost of virtue. Curator: Indeed. The portrait offers a lens through which we can explore the complexities of faith, duty, and the human condition.