John Hobart c. 1723 - 1793

Thomas Gainsborough painted John Hobart, though the year is unknown, capturing him in a dark blue naval coat adorned with gold buttons. This coat is more than mere fabric; it's a symbol of Hobart's status, power, and allegiance to the British Navy. Consider the color blue itself, often linked to authority and steadfastness, a tradition stretching back to antiquity, when the Egyptian priests dyed fabrics with blue pigments to symbolize divinity. Gold, on the other hand, has always denoted wealth and prestige, reminiscent of ancient empires where it adorned rulers. The buttons down the coat, each a small disc of gleaming gold, create a repetitive visual rhythm, a pattern akin to the endless cycles of history. The image has a serene yet commanding presence, resonating with the archetypal figure of the leader. These symbols engage our collective memory, evoking subconscious feelings of respect and trust. They evoke a powerful, albeit subconscious, connection to historical ideas of power and authority.