John Lovell (1710-1778) c. 1754 - 1755

Editor: Here we have Nathaniel Smibert's portrait of John Lovell, from around the 18th century, housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. It's quite muted and subtle. What do you make of the sitter's attire? Curator: Notice the soft cap and robe, articles of scholarly dress denoting learning and authority. It's a visual language, reflecting the sitter's standing, but also connecting to a deeper cultural memory of wisdom and intellectual pursuit, even alluding to classical philosophers. Editor: So, clothing choices communicate more than just status. Curator: Precisely. The clothing also speaks to a cultural idea. It echoes values that Lovell, as a teacher, would have espoused, and which persist through today. Think about how symbols shape legacy. Editor: That really changes how I see this portrait. It’s more than just an image; it's a deliberate statement.