Damarcus 

This is "Damarcus," a striking painting by Mark Beck from the 20th century. The subject’s gaze is direct, but the most arresting feature is his hair, styled in dreadlocks, which frame his face like a halo. Dreadlocks, known by many names across cultures, are a rich symbol. Think of the ancient ascetics and holy persons, from India to Egypt, for whom uncut hair signified spiritual dedication. They evoke Samson’s strength in the Hebrew Bible, and recur in the imagery of the Rastafari movement, where they represent a rejection of Babylon and a connection to the divine. Observe how these visual echoes reverberate in the portrait of Damarcus, how they reflect identity and cultural expression. Symbols such as these are not static; their meanings shift and accumulate. The emotional power of this image lies in its ability to engage us on a subconscious level, to tap into a collective memory, and to remind us that history is not linear but cyclical. The dreadlocks, a potent symbol, have resurfaced, evolved, and taken on new meanings in different historical contexts.