Brooke Lord Cobham 1796

This engraving of Brooke Lord Cobham was created by Francesco Bartolozzi. Notice the sober demeanor and the distinctive headwear. This is not merely a cap; it's a statement. The flat cap perched atop Lord Cobham's head echoes across centuries, a distant cousin to the Phrygian cap of antiquity. In ancient Rome, that hat became a symbol of freedom from oppression, worn by freed slaves. Over time, we see its form shift, yet the core idea of liberation persists. During the French Revolution, the bonnet rouge, a variation of the Phrygian cap, was worn, again, as a powerful emblem of revolt against tyranny. Consider how such symbols evolve, shape-shifting across epochs. The echoes of rebellion, the struggle for emancipation are powerful forces engaging viewers on a deep, subconscious level.