Time-travel Speculation: Nike Trainers In 17th-Century Painting

The discovery of what appears to be modern-day footwear, specifically Nike trainers, in a 17th-century painting at the National Portrait Gallery has sparked speculation about the possibility of time travel. The painting, titled “Portrait of a Boy” and created by Dutch master Ferdinand Bol, depicts an eight-year-old boy dressed in the fashion of the time, including black boots. However, upon closer inspection, a white Nike “tick” logo can be seen on the side of the boy’s left shoe.

The observation was made by Fiona Foskett, 57, during her visit to the London gallery with her daughter, Holly, 23. Foskett jokingly suggested that the boy may have been ahead of his time or possibly a time traveller who somehow acquired the first pair of Nike trainers ever made, despite the fact that Nike was founded in 1964, nearly 300 years after the painting was created.

The National Gallery, in response to the speculation, expressed their delight that the painting had captured the attention of visitors. They mentioned that they had encouraged their followers on social media to take a closer look at the boy’s shoes to spot the more “modern” detail.

It’s worth noting that similar instances of people perceiving modern items in old works of art have occurred in the past, such as a 150-year-old painting appearing to show a woman using an iPhone, a 1937 painting depicting a man using an “iPhone,” and an Ancient Greek statue seemingly portraying a woman using a laptop. These instances often spark discussions and debates about the concept of time travel.

While these observations can be intriguing, they are typically attributed to coincidences, optical illusions, or the tendency of the human brain to seek patterns and make connections. Artistic interpretations and the context in which the works were created should be considered before jumping to conclusions about time travel.