James Stanley 

George Stubbs painted this oil-on-canvas portrait of James Stanley in the late 18th century. Stubbs was celebrated for his anatomical precision, particularly in his depictions of horses, and here, the focus shifts to a member of the English gentry. Consider the social context of portraiture at this time. It was a means for the elite to assert their status and have their likeness preserved. This portrait embodies that tradition, reflecting the sitter's social standing through his clothing, his pose, and the very act of commissioning a painting. Stubbs was not part of the Royal Academy, and his relationship with the artistic institutions of his day was complex. One can only speculate about the nature of Stubbs' relationship with the art world through a close examination of the art market and exhibition culture of the period. Art history relies on such contextual research, and this helps us to interpret the work beyond its surface appearance.