Sir William Blackstone 1774

Editor: Here we have Thomas Gainsborough’s portrait of Sir William Blackstone. The detail in his wig is incredible! What are your thoughts on this piece? Curator: It’s interesting how Gainsborough captures the weight of Blackstone's position, not just in the costume, but in that slightly weary expression. You almost feel you could ask him about his day. What do you see in the color palette? Editor: The red and the white really pop against the dark background. It seems to emphasize his importance. Curator: Exactly! It's a statement, isn't it? Painting conveys so much more than words sometimes. It’s wonderful to see how Gainsborough used color to convey status and intellect. Editor: I agree. I see so much more now!