Mr. Richard Leveridge 1748 - 1758

This is a portrait of Mr. Richard Leveridge, rendered in a print by Andreas van der Mijn. Note the oval frame, a classic motif harking back to ancient cameos and coins, symbols of prestige and permanence. The portrait format itself, inherited from antiquity, serves as a mask, a carefully constructed persona for public consumption. Think of Roman busts, each curl and furrow signifying power and virtue. Here, Leveridge's wig and refined attire speak of his status. Yet, beneath the surface lies a tension. The oval, meant to contain, also isolates, turning the sitter into an object of scrutiny. The gaze, though direct, hints at an inner world, a subconscious realm that the portrait, for all its formality, cannot fully conceal. This interplay between outward presentation and inner life is a recurring theme, echoing through the ages. The symbols of status are temporary, whereas the search for what they represent is continuous.