Benjamin Hoadley, Lord Bishop of Winchester 1743

Curator: This is Bernard Baron's engraving of Benjamin Hoadley, Lord Bishop of Winchester. Editor: What strikes me immediately is the opulence; the billowing fabrics, the elaborate wig, all hinting at the power structures of the time. Curator: Absolutely. Engravings such as this served a vital purpose in disseminating images of important figures throughout society. Consider the printmaking process; the skilled labor required to create this image, the materials utilized... Editor: And the dissemination of such images also reinforced hierarchies. This portrait, printed multiple times, solidified Hoadley's status and projected his influence. The very act of distributing this image played a role in the politics of imagery. Curator: And yet, the material reality of the print—its relative affordability—meant that it could reach a broader audience than a painted portrait ever could, democratizing access to imagery, to a degree. Editor: That's a compelling point. I hadn't considered the wider circulation and influence. Curator: Seeing the process helps understand the intended audience. Editor: A lens through which we understand its lasting impact on the culture and politics of the time.