Profile of an Old Man 

Curator: Here we have Joseph Highmore's "Profile of an Old Man," held at the Tate. The support measures only 60 by 40 millimeters. Editor: It’s such an intimate and aged portrait. The diagonal lines create a feeling of tension or perhaps the passage of time bearing down on the subject. Curator: Indeed. The tonality achieves something profound. Note how Highmore reduces the form to its essential components, creating a striking balance of shadow and light. Editor: Right. This piece speaks volumes about the role of older men in 18th-century British society and the gaze directed toward aging and masculinity. Curator: Yes, but I am more concerned with Highmore's mastery of line and wash. It’s an intriguing exercise in economy. Editor: In conclusion, the drawing’s suggestive simplicity opens onto both personal and broader societal readings. Curator: Highmore’s concise execution undeniably showcases an impressive formal ingenuity.