Sir William Portsman n.d.

John Francis Rigaud created this portrait of Sir William Portsman using pen and brown ink, with gray wash over graphite. It's not just the artist's hand we see in this image, but also the labor of many others. The fine lace at Sir William's neck, for example, would have been painstakingly made, stitch by tiny stitch. The wig too, speaks of skilled craftsmanship – think of the labor to maintain it in perfect curls. Consider also the graphite and ink. These are not just materials but evidence of global trade. The graphite likely came from England, while the ink may have contained ingredients sourced from even further afield. This drawing, therefore, encapsulates a world of making, labor, and global exchange. It reminds us that even seemingly simple portraits can be dense with social and economic meaning. We can appreciate this artwork as a confluence of artistry, material, and process.