Inigo Jones 1769 - 1780

Editor: Here we have "Inigo Jones," a ceramic profile created sometime between 1769 and 1780 by Wedgwood and Bentley. It’s currently at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The dark ceramic is quite striking. It gives the piece a somber, almost haunting feel, doesn't it? What’s your take on this portrait, given its historical context? Curator: Haunting is a good word for it! This wasn’t just any portrait; these ceramic profiles were, in a way, ancestor worship for the Enlightenment. Inigo Jones, a famous architect, became a symbol of British artistic heritage. This wasn’t about personal connection; it was about aligning yourself with perceived greatness. Look how they've rendered him – a perfect profile, almost like a Roman emperor. Do you see the Neoclassical influence in that? Editor: Yes, absolutely! The idealised profile and the classical references are clear. It’s less about Jones as a person, more about Jones as an icon. It’s interesting they chose ceramics. Was that a common material for portraiture at the time? Curator: It was becoming fashionable, yes. Wedgwood was a master of mass production, which democratised access to art. Imagine having a 'hall of fame' on your mantelpiece, rendered in durable, fashionable ceramic. These pieces speak of aspiration, of aligning oneself with the artistic lineage they represented. Almost a spiritual, ancestral connection, but one that’s also tied to consumer culture. Do you find any irony in that? Editor: Definitely ironic. Mass-produced "ancestor worship!" So, while it looks back, it also reflects something quite modern about its own time. Curator: Precisely! And that tension, I think, makes it perpetually relevant. These pieces offer a surprisingly modern perspective about ancestor-celebration trends even in our current culture! Editor: I’ll never look at a Wedgwood piece the same way again. It’s more complicated, and dare I say, more interesting, than I thought! Curator: Absolutely. It's like looking into a mirror reflecting both past aspirations and future echoes.