Two Nude Male Figures, One Seated and One Reclining 1609 - 1675

This ink drawing of two nude male figures was created by Micco Spadaro in the 17th century. We see one figure seated, deep in contemplation, and the other reclining, arm raised in a gesture that echoes classical antiquity. The raised arm is a potent symbol—a "pathos formula," as I call it. Think of the figures in ancient Roman friezes, or even earlier, the reaching figures on Greek vases. The gesture reappears throughout art history, each time carrying a new emotional charge, but always hinting at something primal: a cry for help, a moment of epiphany, or a commanding presence. Consider how this symbol has been passed down through the ages, shifting in meaning. In Renaissance paintings, we see it in depictions of saints performing miracles. Later, in Romantic art, it becomes a symbol of defiance against fate. This gesture taps into our collective memory, engaging us on a subconscious level, reminding us of shared human experiences. Each reappearance of the raised arm is like an echo, resonating with the past yet transformed by the present.