Ronald Mansfield Ferry (1891-1970) 1956

Editor: Here we have Pietro Pezzati's portrait of Ronald Mansfield Ferry. It’s a charcoal drawing, quite large, and it feels so formal, almost stoic. What strikes you about this piece? Curator: The dog is a powerful symbol of loyalty and status. Notice how it looks up to Ferry. It suggests an idealized view, linking Ferry to enduring values, perhaps. Do you see that? Editor: I do. It's a very specific kind of dog too, an English Pointer. Curator: Exactly! It speaks of a particular social class, of country life. The objects surrounding him—the books, the briefcase—they all contribute to this image of cultivated respectability. Editor: So, more than just a likeness, it’s about constructing an image of Ferry within a specific cultural context. Curator: Precisely. And it tells us how Ferry wished to be remembered. Editor: That makes me see the portrait in a whole new light.