J. B. Rousseau c. 18th century

Editor: This is a portrait of J. B. Rousseau by Jean-Baptiste de Grateloup, held at the Harvard Art Museums. The oval frame feels very formal. What can you tell me about this work? Curator: It's interesting to consider how portraiture functioned in the 18th century, particularly for figures like Rousseau. How does this image contribute to the construction of his public persona, and what power dynamics are at play here between artist and subject? Editor: That’s a perspective I hadn’t considered! It challenges my initial reading of straightforward formality. Curator: Exactly. By interrogating the systems of representation, we can unpack the layered meanings embedded within even the seemingly simplest portraits. Editor: Thanks, I'll definitely look at portraiture differently now.