Twee voorstellingen uit de verhalen van Wilhelm Gottlieb Becker 1795

This etching, "Two Scenes from the Stories of Wilhelm Gottlieb Becker," made by Daniel Nikolaus Chodowiecki, presents two distinct narratives. The scene on the left is dominated by the iconography of supplication: A woman kneels, her hands clasped, begging for mercy, in front of authority figures dressed in elaborate robes. Here, we see the archetypal gesture that transcends cultural boundaries. Think of ancient Roman sculptures where defeated barbarians kneel before emperors. The posture is universal and can be found across time in different contexts, embodying humility and submission. This gesture carries an emotional power, engaging us on a visceral level with feelings of compassion and vulnerability. On the right, the gesture of striking or killing seems to echo in different historical contexts, sometimes shifting in meaning, becoming a symbol of resistance. The power of visual symbols is not linear, but cyclical, resurfacing and evolving through history.