Dr William Orange 1875

Here is Richard Dadd’s portrait of Dr. William Orange, painted during Dadd's confinement at Bethlem Royal Hospital. Dadd, who suffered from mental illness, was institutionalized after killing his father. It is a strange twist of fate that he went on to paint the very man in charge of his care. The social context of this work underscores the treatment of mental health in the Victorian era. The portrait is quite formal. Dr. Orange is portrayed with a certain professional detachment. The artist’s personal feelings about his doctor are not immediately apparent, yet, there is a sensitivity to the character of Dr. Orange that feels revealing. The portrait might express a complex mix of reliance and defiance, raising questions about power, control, and the artist's state of mind. Dadd’s work invites us to consider the narratives of those living on the margins of society. It is a profound reflection on identity, sanity, and the human condition.