13. John Richards RA. Secretary of the Royal Academy 1795

Curator: What strikes me immediately is the rather imposing presence of this gentleman, almost comical, captured so deftly by George Dance. Editor: Indeed! This sketch, residing in the Tate Collections, is titled "13. John Richards RA. Secretary of the Royal Academy." The subject's ample form and that almost comically large hat certainly do make a statement. There's something of the archetypal 'man of importance' being portrayed here. Curator: Absolutely. Dance's work, particularly his profile portraits, are so rooted in the societal structures of the time. In a way, this image perpetuates an idea of authority through appearance, consciously or not. Editor: It's fascinating how Dance seems to inflate Richards' physical presence, perhaps reflecting his status within the Royal Academy. Though sketched simply, it speaks volumes about power, image, and the era's expectations. Curator: Food for thought, indeed. It leaves me wondering about the weight we still place on outward appearances and symbols of authority today.