Model stående, vendt mod højre, venstre arm løftet, højre sænket og støttet mod en klippe. 1745 - 1802

Jens Juel sketched this standing model with graphite, his left arm raised and right lowered, leaning against a rock. The contrapposto stance, a figure bearing weight on one leg, shifts the shoulders and hips to create a dynamic curve, evoking classical antiquity. Consider the symbolism of the raised arm, a gesture seen across cultures. In religious art, a raised hand often signifies blessing or invocation, linking to ancient Roman orators, their gestures commanding attention and symbolizing power. Yet, in moments of surrender, the same gesture might denote defeat. Observe how the psychological weight of the pose engages us. The figure’s strained muscles tell of effort, a visual metaphor for the human struggle, a theme endlessly revisited throughout history. The body’s tensions subtly mirror our own subconscious battles, inviting empathy. Symbols such as raised arms are never static; they resurface, evolve, and are imbued with new meanings across epochs, their impact resonating within us.