Catherine Macauley c. 18th century

Editor: This is James Basire's portrait of Catherine Macauley. It's an engraving, and it feels like a classical medallion. What do you see in it? Curator: The laurel wreath, the classical profile, even the small seal at the bottom... it all evokes antiquity. Macauley was a historian who championed republican ideals. The artist uses this visual language to associate her with the virtues of ancient Rome. Editor: So, it's about more than just a likeness? Curator: Precisely! It’s about imbuing her image with the symbolic weight of history and political philosophy. Think of the enduring power of visual symbols to shape how we remember figures across time. Editor: That's fascinating. I'll definitely think about symbols differently now.