Pierpoint, Evelyn, Duke of Kingston c. 18th century

Curator: This engraving presents Evelyn Pierpoint, Duke of Kingston. The work, done by Jan Faber the Younger, captures its subject with detailed precision. Editor: The immediate feeling is one of calculated display – a performance of power, really. Curator: Indeed. The symbols are rife. The wig, the starburst emblem, even the posture, all speak to a carefully constructed identity. How does that resonate today, do you think? Editor: It brings to mind contemporary discussions around performativity and gender. The Duke is embodying a role, negotiating visibility and status. Curator: The context certainly shifts when we consider these images through the lens of power and its historical representation. Editor: Absolutely. It makes you consider how symbols can reinforce and also challenge social norms. A lasting imprint of a bygone era. Curator: It’s a powerful reminder of the many ways we use imagery to communicate.