Portret van William Blakeney 1756

This print of William Blakeney was created by John Faber the Younger in 1756. Blakeney’s stance, hand resting on a cannon, signifies power and authority, a classical representation of military might that dates back to ancient portrayals of emperors and generals. The cannon itself is a potent symbol. Across cultures and eras, the tools of war have held a magnetic, if disturbing, fascination. Think of the epic poems of Homer, dwelling on the specifics of weaponry, or the modern-day obsession with military technology. It embodies both creation and destruction, a duality that captivates and unsettles us. This symbol is not fixed; its meaning shifts with time. The portrait taps into deep-seated fears and desires linked to conflict and security. By presenting Blakeney in such a manner, Faber aimed to evoke a sense of confidence. Yet, the underlying tension reminds us that symbols are never neutral, but vessels of shared, often conflicted, human experience.