Portrait of Jan Reszke c. 1862

Józef Simmler captured Jan Reszke, enveloped in somber hues, amidst an ambiguous landscape. His hat and walking stick are symbols of aristocracy, but it's the walking stick that truly captivates. The walking stick, a universal symbol of support, authority, and journey, has meandered through art history. Recall the staffs of biblical patriarchs or the scepters of royalty—each a variant of this primal emblem. In ancient Greece, Hermes carried his caduceus, a symbol of commerce and negotiation, not unlike a walking stick. Yet, in Reszke's portrait, it lacks those overt assertions of power. The stick appears almost as a mere accessory, a subtle echo of a tradition, hinting perhaps at a personal journey or a need for support, but is held lightly, lacking its usual symbolism. The power of these symbols lies not just in their presence but in how they are transformed, in the echoes of collective memory they summon within us.