Mrs. Comyns 1755 - 1765

Editor: This delicate portrait is "Mrs. Comyns," a drawing in pencil and charcoal by John Smart, made sometime between 1755 and 1765. I'm struck by its intimate scale and how immediate it feels, like a quick sketch capturing a fleeting moment. What stands out to you when you look at this work? Curator: Beyond its evident Rococo elegance, I see a concentrated exercise in cultural memory. The way Mrs. Comyns is framed, almost like a precious jewel, invites us to contemplate the roles assigned to women within that era, where appearance and social standing held immense value. Notice her hair, swept up high; it's not merely fashion, but a signifier. Does it whisper something of status and aspirations? Editor: It definitely feels deliberate. It seems like everything is carefully considered. But what about the medium itself—the pencil and charcoal? Does that play a role in the meaning? Curator: Absolutely. Pencil and charcoal lend themselves to a certain immediacy and vulnerability, as you astutely observed earlier. There's a directness in the artist’s hand evident in the strokes. This medium speaks of intimacy, of access – almost like a secret glimpse into Mrs. Comyns’ world. This wasn't meant for public consumption like a grand oil painting. Is there perhaps a hint of something more private communicated here? Editor: That’s fascinating. I hadn’t considered it as almost a ‘private’ piece. So, even the materials used become symbols themselves? Curator: Indeed. Artists throughout history carefully selected media for not only their visual effect but also their cultural and emotional resonance. By utilizing drawing, Smart creates an almost 'diary' effect, something more emotional and personal. What do you feel is Smart trying to convey by drawing our attention towards this intimacy? Editor: I suppose, in today's world it's as if you're peeking behind the scenes of curated social media, seeing the less-polished reality. I learned to view the artist's choices as integral to understanding the art itself! Curator: Exactly! By examining historical portraiture, we glean insight into values, anxieties, and aspirations. And Mrs. Comyns? Perhaps she symbolizes the carefully crafted image so valued within her time.