Portrait of a Young Boy (Henry Ebenezer Bingham?) 1871 - 1879

This bust, carved by Aimé-Jules Dalou, captures a young boy, possibly named Henry Ebenezer Bingham, in marble. His clothing, a collared shirt and loosely knotted tie, speaks of youth and a certain innocent formality. But what of the tie itself? The tie, a seemingly simple adornment, carries within it a long history of symbols of power and status. From ancient Roman neck cloths signifying military rank, to the elaborate lace cravats of the Baroque era denoting aristocracy, the neck has long been a focal point of identity. Here, on a young boy, the tie suggests aspirations, a subtle foreshadowing of the roles and responsibilities he will eventually adopt. Consider also the very material: marble, a stone of antiquity and high art. The coolness of the marble contrasts with the warmth of the boy’s youth. This connection between youth and status shows how symbols evolve, resurface, and are recontextualized to convey powerful emotions and ideas across generations.