Walt Whitman 1889

John White Alexander captured Walt Whitman in this portrait, immortalizing the poet with a symbol as old as time: the beard. Whitman's beard, a cascade of white, echoes images of ancient philosophers and prophets. Think of the venerable figures of antiquity, their beards signifying wisdom and age. This motif, deeply embedded in our collective unconscious, transcends mere fashion. It speaks to the very essence of accumulated knowledge and experience. Consider Michelangelo's Moses or even images of Zeus—the beard is a visual shorthand for authority, a way to command respect and project an aura of profound understanding. The symbolism does not end here; the beard carries connotations of virility, and an untamed natural force. Thus, Whitman's beard serves as a powerful symbol, one that has journeyed across centuries, adapting and evolving, yet still resonating with the echoes of our shared past.