George P. Putnam 1872

Curator: Up next, we have a portrait of George P. Putnam, completed by Platt Powell Ryder in 1872. Editor: It’s quite somber, isn’t it? The restrained palette really focuses your attention on his face. The dark coat almost fades into the background. Curator: Yes, and that almost monochromatic color scheme lends itself to an examination of process. I’m curious about the layers of oil paint Ryder applied to achieve the texture of the beard. What kind of brushes? What grade of canvas was stretched to make this support? Editor: For me, it's his eyes that draw me in. They possess such a depth, a kind of quiet wisdom, almost as if you're glimpsing the very soul of the man through them. The beard itself has an almost patriarchal feel. Curator: The choice of clothing likely served to elevate Putnam's status. While a portrait of this kind was fairly conventional at the time, let's not overlook the labor that went into making Putnam look the part: tailors weaving cloth, sewing seams, cobblers making boots. Even the acquisition of raw materials implies networks of production and power. Editor: You’re right to focus on those elements. His very posture and gaze, directed straight ahead, give an impression of authority. Given that Putnam was a prominent publisher, could that be why Ryder decided to convey this impression through realism, avoiding romanticized features? Curator: Perhaps! It's hard to say with certainty without letters from Ryder explaining why he crafted this image a certain way. Editor: It is. But his face leaves one contemplating about mortality, and how portraiture seeks to preserve the memory of important people after their passing. It creates a lasting symbolic presence. Curator: I agree that such an impact resonates even today. Thanks for sharing your insightful observations. Editor: Of course. And, considering the means used in crafting it makes Putnam a fascinating man and his time all the more understandable.