Sentinel 

Michael C. Hayes made this painting, Sentinel, sometime in the 20th century. It depicts a winged warrior, clad in golden armor, gazing resolutely into the distance. Hayes’ image draws on a long tradition of military art, echoing classical depictions of mythological figures. Note the highly ornamented helmet, adorned with the symbols of power and authority. But Hayes made this piece in a century when long-standing social hierarchies were being questioned, and traditional power structures were under scrutiny. The figure’s dark skin and feminine features add layers of complexity that challenge conventional depictions of the warrior archetype. Is Hayes subverting established social norms? As an art historian, I look at works such as this as potential keys to understanding the values and anxieties of a particular society. By looking at the cultural and political context in which the artwork was made, we can better understand its meaning and significance.