Sketch for ‘Charles II and Lady Bellenden’ c. 1837

Curator: Charles Robert Leslie, born in 1794, painted this oil on canvas, titled "Sketch for 'Charles II and Lady Bellenden'," which is held here at the Tate. Editor: The setting looks opulent, but also…melancholy. There's a formality and weight to the scene, even though the fallen rose petals suggest a celebration gone awry. Curator: Leslie often explored historical narratives, romanticizing them. Consider the power dynamics suggested here: Charles II, surrounded by court, seems to be in conversation with Lady Bellenden within the constraints of class and gender expectations of the era. Editor: And those constraints are visible in the clothing. Look at the volume of fabric in Lady Bellenden's dress and the detail in Charles II's garments – they speak to specific social and economic conditions. The labor involved to create such status. Curator: Precisely. The image operates within a broader political landscape. Charles II’s reign was marked by efforts to consolidate power, and Leslie's sketch participates in that narrative by depicting a seemingly cordial interaction. Editor: Even the arrangement of the swords above the table points to the labor that creates the appearance of power, and all it protects. Curator: Yes, and the setting itself speaks to the historical backdrop. Leslie provides us with material and figures, yet the social context is essential. Editor: I find myself considering, too, the little girl off to the side and the fallen roses... What roles were available to women at the time, and how did that impact their material realities? Curator: A critical question indeed. Thank you for these insights. Editor: It leaves you pondering the materials of power, doesn't it?