John Postlethwaite 

George Romney painted this portrait of John Postlethwaite with oil on canvas. It shows a man in a moment of repose, leaning casually against a plinth. The plinth here isn't merely a prop; it’s a symbol of grounding, stability, and the weight of societal expectations. It’s the same plinth, really, that reappears throughout the ages, from ancient statues of emperors to Renaissance depictions of philosophers. Think of the stoic figures from antiquity, like Marcus Aurelius, whose wisdom and strength were visually reinforced by the solid base upon which they stood. Here, Postlethwaite leans against it, but the gesture is relaxed, almost nonchalant. This subtle rebellion, this slight softening of the symbol, mirrors the shifting social values during Romney’s time. The classical ideal is still present, but with a hint of modernity. It's a motif that has undergone countless transformations. We see how the past subtly permeates the present, influencing how we perceive ourselves.