Martin Brimmer (1829-1896) 1896

Editor: This is a portrait of Martin Brimmer by Sarah Wyman Whitman. It's quite somber. What can you tell me about how this piece might have been seen in its time? Curator: Well, consider the late 19th century, a time of burgeoning civic pride and the rise of institutions like the Harvard Art Museums. Brimmer was a key figure, a former Boston mayor. Portraits like these served to solidify his legacy. Editor: So it's less about personal expression and more about public image? Curator: Precisely. How does the scale and the somewhat severe expression contribute to that effect? Editor: It feels very formal and imposing, designed to project authority and respectability. I see now how it's crafted for public consumption, not just private viewing. Curator: Indeed. We see how artistic choices reinforce prevailing social and political norms.