Col. Israel Thorndike (1755-1832)

Editor: This is Gilbert Stuart's portrait of Col. Israel Thorndike. It's quite formal, and he looks very prosperous, holding letters. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Beyond the immediate impression of wealth, I see a representation of power deeply embedded in the social structures of the time. The letters suggest commerce, influence. Consider who had access to such portraits and the stories they tell about early American society. Editor: So, you see this portrait as speaking to issues of class and access? Curator: Precisely. And what stories might those unread letters tell us? Editor: That's a very different way of thinking about portraiture, I have learned a lot. Curator: Indeed, art allows us to confront and think about societal norms.