Bernard Berenson (1865-1959) c. 1903

Editor: This is a portrait of Bernard Berenson by Sarah Choate Sears. I’m struck by the soft, almost dreamlike quality of the image. What symbolic weight do you think Sears was trying to capture here? Curator: Notice how Berenson's gaze is directed beyond the frame, suggesting contemplation. The soft focus, characteristic of pictorialism, lends an aura of timelessness. What enduring qualities do you think Sears wished to convey about Berenson? Editor: Perhaps intellectual depth and a connection to something beyond the immediate moment? Curator: Precisely. This image becomes a symbol of Berenson’s lasting influence on art history, capturing him as both a man and a monument. This subtle effect elevates him beyond a mere physical likeness. Editor: I see now; the portrait becomes an icon!