John Wilkinson 

Lemuel Francis Abbott painted this portrait of John Wilkinson in oil paint. Notice the sitter’s stern gaze and posture: they reflect the values of the industrial revolution that permeated the era. Consider Wilkinson's folded hands; this gesture of containment harkens back to ancient Roman statuary, signifying self-control and authority. It appears in portraits throughout history, from emperors to merchants, each time adapted to fit the sitter's station. The sober colors and understated elegance speak to the burgeoning middle class's desire to legitimize and memorialize their status. This careful presentation is not merely vanity but a conscious effort to construct a legacy. Wilkinson's portrait is a cultural touchstone, echoing and reforming historical images of power. It engages viewers on a deep, subconscious level, triggering associations with authority, self-control, and the will to endure. Like a phoenix, this symbol of power has resurfaced, evolved, and taken on new meanings in different historical contexts.