Groepsportret van Richard Edgcumbe, George Augustus Selwyn en George Williams 1812 - 1865

William Greatbach created this group portrait of Richard Edgcumbe, George Augustus Selwyn, and George Williams in the 18th century, although the exact date remains unknown. Made in Britain during a time of significant social stratification, this engraving offers a glimpse into the lives of privileged men. It is not merely a record of likeness but is also loaded with cultural signs, from the clothing and the interior setting, which speaks to the status of these individuals. The library backdrop suggests intellectual pursuits, and their attire, like powdered wigs, marks their membership in the upper echelons of society. We may ask: how did these visual markers of status play into the construction of identity and social power at the time? Such questions could be explored further through an examination of contemporary fashion trends, or the history of British libraries and social clubs. We might better understand this portrait as a cultural artifact, embedded in a specific time and place.