Portrait of a Man 1796

George Dance created this graphite drawing called, *Portrait of a Man*, in 1798. Dance was an architect and portraitist working in England during a time of significant social and political transformation. This portrait offers a glimpse into the visual culture of the late 18th century, a period marked by rigid social hierarchies. The sitter's profile, with its powdered wig and formal attire, speaks to the conventions of representing status and masculinity. But it also represents an interesting time in England, when there was a growing middle class, making their mark in society. Portraits like this are not just about appearances; they are about how one performs their identity for the world, reinforcing or challenging the norms of their time. Dance's technical skill is evident, but so too, is his awareness of the social codes that portraits both uphold and sometimes subvert.