General Thomas Gage 

John Singleton Copley painted this portrait of General Thomas Gage, immortalizing the British officer with oils. Gage stands here as a symbol of authority, literally pointing towards the unfolding battle. The pointed finger, a seemingly simple gesture, echoes through art history, think of John the Baptist, forever calling attention to the divine. Here, the gesture might also be seen as a subtle act of accusation, as Gage directs our gaze toward the scene of conflict, potentially deflecting blame for the events unfolding. The presence of the troops evokes the Roman legions depicted in classical friezes, a display of power and order intended to inspire awe or fear. The ordered ranks of soldiers are rendered almost insignificant against the vast landscape, suggesting a sense of foreboding. The way Copley positions Gage evokes powerful psychological and emotional undercurrents. Ultimately, the symbols within, like echoes of collective memory, reveal the cyclical nature of power.