Sir John Wildman 

Wenceslaus Hollar created this engraving of Sir John Wildman, an English politician and soldier. Consider how portraiture during the 17th century often served as a tool for constructing and reinforcing social status. Wildman's gaze, the fine details of his clothing, and the very act of commissioning a portrait, each contribute to the construction of his identity as a man of importance. Wildman was a controversial figure, known for his radical republicanism and involvement in plots against the monarchy. How might Hollar, who experienced displacement and hardship during the English Civil War, have viewed Wildman's role in these tumultuous events? Was this an attempt to immortalize a political figure? Or did it serve as a commentary on the instability of the times? The Latin inscription ‘Nil Admirari’, or ‘be surprised at nothing’, encapsulates an emotional detachment from life's inevitable shocks. The portrait invites us to consider the emotional and psychological strategies individuals adopt when navigating turbulent times. It prompts us to reflect on how historical figures, like ourselves, grapple with the complexities and contradictions of their worlds.