John Overall, Bishop of Norwich c. 17th century

Curator: This portrait, etched by Robert White, depicts John Overall, Bishop of Norwich. It presents a powerful figure, encircled by an ornate frame and heraldic symbols. Editor: There's an austere quality to this engraving, a severity emphasized by the precise lines and shading. It feels very deliberate, crafted with extreme care. Curator: Indeed. Knowing that White was a leading English engraver of his time, favored for his ability to capture likenesses and convey social status, we can read this image as a statement about Overall's position within the Church and society. The choice of etching itself speaks to a specific mode of disseminating power. Editor: The fine, repetitive strokes making up the background and the garments are mesmerizing. It is labor-intensive, and that work is embedded in the image's meaning. Each line seems to reinforce the subject's authority. Curator: Absolutely, and let’s also consider the context of the Church of England at the time. What did it mean for Overall to hold such a position in the hierarchy, and how did images like these reinforce those power structures? Editor: Thinking about the act of printing and reproduction, this allowed for a wider distribution of Overall's image. The material process and its output were intertwined with the religious and political landscape. Curator: Reflecting on our conversation, the artwork can act as a lens through which we can examine the relationships between power, representation, and identity. Editor: And, of course, the labor inherent in its creation gives it resonance, a reminder of the tangible work underlying the image of authority.