Joseph Coolidge (1747-1820) 1813

Editor: Here we have Gilbert Stuart’s portrait of Joseph Coolidge, painted sometime in the late 18th or early 19th century, using oil on canvas. It’s a classic, formal depiction, but I'm curious about Stuart’s choices. What’s your perspective on this work? Curator: The opulence is evident. Consider the origin of the materials: the pigments ground from minerals, the linen woven into canvas, even the clothes Coolidge wears. Each element speaks to a system of labor and trade. How does this consideration affect your understanding of the portrait? Editor: It adds a layer of complexity, understanding the work involved in just creating the materials needed. I guess I hadn’t really thought about it beyond the artistic skill. Curator: Precisely. By focusing on materiality, we see the portrait as not just an image, but as a product deeply embedded in its socio-economic context. This is something to reflect on. Editor: Definitely a different way to view art! Thanks.