Portret van Polly Kennedy 1771 - 1779

Curator: Here we have Thomas Watson's "Portret van Polly Kennedy," an engraving from between 1771 and 1779, currently residing at the Rijksmuseum. Editor: Polly certainly projects an air of poised expectancy. There's an interesting stillness, like a held breath. Almost theatrical. Curator: Indeed. Consider the Neoclassical context. It harkens back to the grandeur of history painting, presenting Polly in a timeless, almost allegorical light, yet grounded in portraiture tradition. The column suggests stability and importance. Editor: But isn't it slightly off? She's got that powdered wig look with none of the usual ostentation you see in the portraits of the day. More relaxed and less severe, maybe a wink at more progressive ideas. Curator: The simplicity is striking, and unusual. Even her dress with what seems like floral motif suggests the French court and elegance but again there's very little excess compared to previous periods. Symbols of power and influence are downplayed, focusing instead on individual character. The handkerchief she's holding can also be interpreted, historically speaking, as a memento mori or a symbol of status, though not very extravagant as they used to be at this time. Editor: I love that she's not overtly smiling, though you can detect this faint amusement playing around her lips, suggesting that she enjoys a good joke at others expense, including ours! I think it invites me in a more intimate way. Curator: Right, so instead of some unreachable Goddess, it suggests she might be your sister, a friend, or even your smart but not terribly forthcoming aunt. And, she also wants you to know that she can get away with this and you won't say a thing. Editor: Exactly. It disrupts expectations, offering us a peek beyond the stuffy conventions of the time. Which makes the piece more accessible. It really feels timeless in that way. Curator: Absolutely. Thomas Watson presents Polly as an enigmatic yet familiar figure. The artist, through symbols both obvious and subtle, captured an attitude, a cultural shift towards inward reflection in this moment of history. Editor: I leave feeling like Polly and I share some secret, unspoken understanding. It makes you wonder what tales the person holds inside themselves.