Seated Male Nude (recto); Sketches of Hand and Boy'd Head (verso) n.d.

This sketch, crafted with delicate strokes of chalk, presents a seated male nude, seemingly caught in a moment of revelation. His open palm, reaching upwards, echoes gestures found across epochs, from ancient orators to biblical figures receiving divine insight. Consider the "Adlocutio" motif, where Roman emperors address their troops, hand raised in command or benediction. The gesture resurfaces in Christian art, with saints and Christ himself depicted in similar poses, signifying authority and divine communication. Here, the nude's gesture evokes a yearning for connection, a subconscious cry resonating through collective memory. This yearning transcends mere imitation; it taps into a primal desire for understanding and acknowledgement. The open hand becomes a symbol of vulnerability and supplication, engaging viewers on a deep, subconscious level. Through the ages, this motif has resurfaced, evolved, and taken on new meanings, reflecting humanity's perpetual quest for meaning and connection.