General Abel Davis c. 1926

Alfred Bendiner sketched "General Abel Davis" with graphite on paper marked with the letterhead of The Benjamin Franklin hotel. A profile of Davis is drawn in a swift and assured hand. It offers us a glimpse into his character: the set of his jaw, the keenness of his gaze. Yet, it is the very act of portraiture that carries symbolic weight. Consider how, since antiquity, leaders and notable figures have been immortalized in profile. From Roman coins to Renaissance cameos, this view has been used to convey authority, dignity, and an enduring legacy. Here, the unfinished quality of the sketch reveals a modern sensibility. There is an openness, an invitation to the viewer to participate in the construction of meaning. It is a reminder that identity is never fixed but constantly evolving, shaped by history, memory, and our own perceptions.