Williams Middleton 1752 - 1758

This is Mary Roberts' miniature painting of Williams Middleton. Note the subject's red coat. Throughout history, the color red has carried immense symbolic weight, from signifying royalty and power in ancient civilizations to representing passion and revolution in more recent times. Consider how Renaissance painters used costly red pigments to denote the importance of a figure, often associating it with divine love or sacrifice. Now, reflect on how this symbol has transformed. In contemporary society, red might signal danger or excitement, as seen in warning signs and advertising. It is a color that grabs our attention, triggering deep-seated emotional responses linked to survival and status. Even here, the bright jacket draws our gaze, subconsciously conveying an impression of vitality. This striking use of color invites us to consider the enduring, cyclical nature of symbols.