Mr. Motte c. 1760

Curator: This is “Mr. Motte,” a portrait dating to about 1760 by Jeremiah Theus. Theus, a Swiss-American painter, was highly sought after for his portraits of the colonial elite in South Carolina. Editor: He's certainly giving us the look. Direct and rather...composed. There’s a formality to the lighting—notice how the highlights fall so predictably. It creates a distinct flatness. Curator: That formality was entirely the point. Portraiture in the colonial era was as much about projecting social standing as it was about capturing a likeness. Think about it, only elites can get their portraits painted, and even then these are almost all men. These paintings legitimize authority, especially in the context of plantation economies. Editor: Absolutely, and the earth tones reinforce that sense of grounded authority, too. That slightly greenish-brown of his jacket is mirrored in the backdrop, containing the figure somewhat and centering attention on the face. Curator: Right. It was essential to convey respectability and stability. Theus used conventional compositions in portraying prosperous merchants and landowners, but it wasn't mere rote repetition. It shows how the arts were deeply embedded in creating the socio-political identity of colonial South Carolina. These men become symbols of the system. Editor: It’s fascinating how the bright white of the shirt peeking out offers a striking contrast. See how the ruffled sleeve acts almost as a focal point near the lower center, drawing the eye back into the more muted colors of the overall image. Curator: Indeed. By controlling elements of portraiture, sitters had direct authority over how their own narratives and legacies were formed and presented, publicly and privately. It's all so constructed. Editor: Considering it with the focus on class and societal power, the formal elements do speak louder than they did at first. I find that green to be a far more calculated move now. Curator: Precisely. Next time, come to it with an interest in that power, and I believe you'll see even more within that formality.