Standard Bearer c. 18th century

Curator: This is William Pether’s "Standard Bearer," currently residing in the Harvard Art Museums collection. Editor: It feels very much like a constructed identity; the man is holding the flag pole in what seems an almost theatrical pose. Curator: The "standard bearer" is a recurring figure, a symbol of power and allegiance, often linked to militaristic masculinity and the politics of representation in the 18th century. Editor: The hat with the large feather, the ornate sash... it all reads as a statement. What statement is being made, though? Is it about patriotism, or personal ambition? Curator: Perhaps both, interwoven. Power is always a performance. I'm left thinking about performative identity and the social forces shaping our understanding of heroism. Editor: I see the image as a complex visual symbol. He is almost a caricature of leadership. Curator: Absolutely, and a poignant reminder that images speak volumes about the cultural values we uphold. Editor: It's fascinating how this image distills so many cultural narratives into a single, almost unsettling portrait.