A Man c. 19th century

Curator: This is Thomas Johnson's "A Man," housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. It's difficult to pinpoint the exact date of creation. What's striking to you initially? Editor: It feels incredibly formal and perhaps even a little intimidating. The subject's attire seems to suggest a man of power or at least someone conscious of projecting a specific image of himself. Curator: I agree. It's fascinating to consider the production of such images in Johnson's time, thinking about the social structures and the labor involved in creating and distributing these portraits. Editor: And who was this man, really? How much control did he have over his own image? It makes me think about the power dynamics inherent in portraiture and the ways in which identity is performed and consumed. Curator: Indeed. It's a study in material culture, revealing much about the subject's place in society, and the artist's role in that context. Editor: Reflecting on how we view individuals throughout history, this makes me consider how much has changed and simultaneously stayed the same.