Sir Joseph Banks 

Curator: This is a relief sculpture of Sir Joseph Banks, carved by John Flaxman in the Neoclassical style. The name "BANKS" is carved beneath the profile, anchoring the figure. Editor: It strikes me as remarkably poised, almost severe. The stark whiteness of the carving against that muted background contributes to that sense, as does the sharp, classical profile. It is the restraint that defines it. Curator: Yes, the Neoclassical aesthetic favoured restraint and clarity, drawing inspiration from ancient Greek and Roman art. Banks, as a prominent figure in scientific exploration, would have appreciated the association with the Enlightenment values of reason and order. This type of portraiture elevates him. Editor: And that association itself carries power. Representing Banks, who helped shape British scientific understanding through exploration and colonialism, in such a classical mode presents an interesting dialogue regarding who is venerated and how throughout history. I am left wondering whose gaze are we seeing with? Curator: The profile format, rendered in relief, recalls the ancient tradition of cameos and medallions, linking the sculpture to a rich history of portraiture. Flaxman masterfully uses line and shadow to define Banks’s features and clothing, paying great attention to every strand in his powdered wig and the set of his coat. Editor: Indeed, while the Neoclassical mode generally promoted idealization, I appreciate Flaxman’s precise details, too, allowing a hint of the sitter’s individual presence. Still, one might observe the political dimensions in these aesthetic decisions, where choices in portraiture, like the clean lines and historical referents, affect public image, especially that of Banks at the center of power structures. Curator: Agreed. Examining the artwork brings up many issues about scientific representation, artistry, and public perception throughout history. Editor: Yes, while understanding the stylistic qualities inherent in the artwork and in Neoclassical modes more generally enriches the viewer's comprehension of historical construction of scientific power, the implications of Flaxman's work on viewers is complex.