Sir Isaac Newton (1642-1727) c. 18th century

Editor: This diminutive portrait of Sir Isaac Newton by James Tassie is remarkable. The carving is so detailed! What symbols do you see embedded within this image? Curator: Note how Newton's profile, a silhouette of pure reason, is framed by classical figures, an allegory perhaps of science and justice bestowing honor? The scales represent balance, order… values Newton himself championed. What feelings arise when you view it? Editor: I hadn't thought about it that way. It makes me consider how symbols shape our understanding of historical figures. Curator: Indeed. It illustrates the enduring power of imagery to encode meaning and transmit cultural memory.