Discussions Possible Reference to Legends Canon in latest episode of Star Wars Rebels (possible spoiler warning)

So one of Thrawn's paintings in the latest episode of Star Wars rebels (the one on the left), "An Inside Man" had a figure on it that bore a striking resemblance to the Sun Guard. The helmet design as well as neck guard bare a striking resemblance to the armor of the sith cult and mercenary group from Thyrsus that inspired the armor of the Royal Guard. Plus, there's a big sunburst halo behind the helmet so that's another big clue.

Now these could just be Royal Guards but I highly doubt it, because Thrawn studies paintings of other cultures. Why would he study something that's already Imperial?

Could we possibly be seeing them return to canon in some way or is this merely a bone being tossed as an easter egg?

 

This one?



That's a Mandalorian mural as seen in TCW as well.

 

Oh well kriff.

Dreams shattered :'(

Looks like the visor is too wide to be a sun guard anyways. That's definitely Neo-Crusader armor.

 

Similar armour has appeared before - in TCW:

http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Mandalorian_Neo-Crusaders/Canon

 

However, it should be pointed out that this particular painting is a shout out and allusion to Pablo Picasso's "Bombing of Guernica" from 1937.