Impression Die Ancient Hero

This 20th century French design depicts a bearded masculine face adorned with a winged helmet, a longstanding symbol of heroism. The original purpose of the design is unknown, but the winged helmet motif began with depictions of the messenger god Mercury in ancient Rome. It was mistakenly believed that the Celts used such imagery for some time. A few chieftains of Gaul have been depicted with the winged helmet and during the Romantic period and onward, Norse gods and heroes such as Thor and Odin were depicted wearing the winged helmet in paintings. In the 20th century, the winged helmet became symbols of superheroes like Captain America and Marvel's Thor.