Anton Rubinstein (1829-1894) 1869 - 1874

Jeremiah Gurney’s photograph captures Anton Rubinstein, the celebrated 19th-century pianist. Notice Rubinstein's composed expression and the neat bow tie at his neck. This seemingly simple knot carries echoes through time. Consider the ancient Gordian Knot, a symbol of complexity and fate, famously sliced through by Alexander the Great. Or the Celtic knot, an emblem of eternity and interconnectedness. The bow tie, a gentrified descendent of these ancient forms, still hints at these primal associations. Here, it suggests Rubinstein's mastery over intricate musical compositions, and perhaps, the knotted complexities of a performer's life. The tie binds him to his era, yet resonates with symbols of fate and destiny, engaging us on a deep, subconscious level. This image speaks to how symbols resurface, evolving through history, carrying fragments of past meanings into the present.