THE art of conservation is married to The Art Of Conservation in the latest raid on York Art Gallery's store cupboard.

"Let the art do the talking" is the catchphrase for a show as tasteful and demure as tea at Bettys, made up of loans from the National Portrait Gallery, Dulwich Picture Gallery and Cartwright Hall in Bradford and works from "York Art Gallery's enviable collection".

The exhibition has both legs rooted firmly in the past in its combination of 18th Century decorative and fine art, costumes and china that add up to arguably the most comprehensive collection of conversation pieces in the country, in the opinion of curator of art Caroline Worthington.

Where you now might define a conservation piece in a gallery as a work that sticks out like the proverbial throbbing thumb, in Georgian times it denoted a fashionable style of informal portraiture. Here the artwork blends in rather than stands out: the very art of polite conversation.

More often than not painted in oil, we are presented with intimate portraits of families or groups of friends in domestic, interior or garden settings, with dogs, horses, children overdressed for cricket, and unnaturally elongated fingers pointed just so to denote breeding - or to aspire to it.

These elegant works are an upmarket precursor to the flamboyantly tacky Hello photoshoots of today, and the supposed air of informality is as forced as mincemeat.

What you can't help but note too is the lack of animated conversation or expression of joy: the parade of Georgian wealth and a nouveau riche desire not to commit a gaffe in matters of etiquette dominate the stiff parades.

Period clothing from the Castle Museum is set off by the gallery's apple green colour scheme; the etiquette and rules of 18th century conversation and social issues of the day are charted in gilded bon mots on the back wall and in assorted notes; and all around, top names from the world of Georgian portraiture line up their gleaming wares.

Observe Gainsborough and his unknown yet high-fashion couple; Stubbs and his inevitable horses; Devis and his unusual triptych of the governor of the Bank of England and family; and Sir Joshua Reynolds bolstering the ego of the Earl of Egmont as he flutters his plumage at his new bride.

York is depicted, particularly in William Lindley's etchings, as a Georgian honeypot for the gentry and aristocracy to socialise, flirt, clinch a marriage, drink tea and be seen at the races, theatre and the blood sport of public hangings.

The Art Of Conversation is unlikely to be one of the most talked-about shows of the year in York. However, do make time to view Nathan Drake's delightful depiction of his fellow fashionable denizens of York promenading along New Terrace Walk beside the tree-lined Ouse. At least they look to be enjoying themselves.

The Art Of Conversation, York Art Gallery, until January 15. Opening hours: 10am to 5pm daily, admission free.