Bust of Milton n.d.

John Michael Rysbrack created this drawing of the "Bust of Milton" sometime in the 18th century. It shows us how the cultural elite of England wanted to be seen, and how they used art to promote their values. England in the 1700s was a place of strict social rules, and art played a big role in keeping things that way. The way Milton is portrayed, with careful attention to his clothing and hair, is a sign of how important it was to follow these rules and show off your social status. The classical-style frame reminds us of ancient Greece and Rome, connecting Milton, one of the greatest poets in the English language, to the intellectual achievements of the ancient world. To really get what this artwork is about, we can dig into historical sources, like letters and diaries from that time, to understand the social and political issues that influenced Rysbrack. This helps us see art not just as pretty pictures, but as important pieces of social and institutional history.