Angels & Aristocrats curator Mary Kisler reveals the secret symbolism of the clothes and costumes in selected portraits.
At a time when portrait painting was the province of the wealthy, the kinds of clothes sitters chose for the occasion were extremely important. However, sometimes portraits carry symbolic references which suggest that what we see on a canvas isn’t quite the full story.
This fascinating talk delves into the secrets hidden behind some of the elaborate costumes worn by individuals in Angels & Aristocrats.
Find out about the exhibition Angels & Aristocrats
Mary Kisler
Mary Kisler is Senior Curator, Mackelvie Collection, International Art at Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki. She has recently been seconded to work as part-time Head of Art at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.
Mary graduated with an MA in Italian and Art History from the University of Auckland in 1992. She then worked as a tutor and part-time lecturer, before joining Auckland Art Gallery in 1998.
She has acted as a guide on several art history trips to Europe, as well as Australia, and has travelled widely both as a researcher and as a private lover of art. Since 2001, she has regularly talked about art with Kim Hill on Radio New Zealand’s Saturday Morning programme.
Image courtesy of Mary Kisler