Rufus Choate c. 1855 - 1860

Curator: This is a portrait of Rufus Choate, attributed to Josiah Johnson Hawes, held here at the Harvard Art Museums. There's a certain weightiness, isn't there? Editor: Absolutely. The sepia tones and somewhat stiff pose give it a somber, almost severe air. I wonder about the photographic process used at the time. Curator: That somberness could also reflect Choate's public image, as a prominent lawyer and orator known for his intense presence. He projects a certain unyielding gravitas. Editor: Considering the technology available then, the labor and the precise development processes required, it lends a different perspective. This was a deliberate, crafted image. Curator: Indeed. Think of the symbolism embedded in portraiture of the time. It speaks to power, status, and the desire for remembrance and legacy. Editor: Yes, and the sitter's clothing, the chair…they all speak to the industrial output of the era, of readily-available material to support this new culture of visibility. Curator: Ultimately, the image captures a fascinating intersection of individual character and broader cultural values. Editor: Precisely, a compelling reminder of how much artistry and material considerations went into even seemingly simple photographic portraits.