Sir Henry Blount (1602–1682) 1660s

This is a miniature portrait of Sir Henry Blount, painted by Nicholas Dixon. Look at how the long flowing hair frames his face: this was not just a hairstyle, it was a symbol of status and virility, harking back to classical ideals of beauty and power. Consider the image of the hero with flowing locks, echoing through time from ancient Greek sculptures to Renaissance paintings. Think of Alexander the Great, his mane a sign of untamed strength. Yet, here, in Blount's portrait, the hair also speaks of the English Restoration period, a longing for the past, and a connection to the ruling elite. The fashion reappears over and over, each time subtly altered by the prevailing cultural winds. This visual language is passed down through generations. Isn't it compelling how symbols evolve, carrying echoes of the past, and how, through the act of seeing, we participate in the eternal dance of images?