McFadden 

Nelson Shanks's painting titled McFadden presents a woman adorned with a large golden necklace, positioned in front of a painted scroll of the Buddha. The golden necklace, reminiscent of ancient regalia, acts as a potent symbol of wealth and power. This motif echoes across cultures, evoking images of pharaohs and emperors bedecked in similar displays of opulence. It’s as if the subject is channeling an archaic queen. But observe how this symbol has transformed! Originally, such adornments signified divine right and absolute authority. Here, the necklace drapes a modern woman, its significance subtly altered. This shift reflects our collective memory, where symbols are not static but fluid, shaped by the currents of history and culture. In this image, the heavy jewelry adds a sense of theatrical drama, engaging us on a visceral level. The symbols of power are continuously reinvented through the ages.