Standing Man n.d.

This drawing of a standing man was made by Romeyn de Hooghe. Note the open, gesturing hands of the figure. This motif is one that speaks across the ages. It echoes in ancient oratory, where open hands signified honesty and a clear intention. Consider the classical sculptures of orators and emperors, their hands extended to command attention, to persuade, to lead. The gesture bridges the gap between speaker and audience, creating a sense of trust and immediacy. Yet, look closer. Does this figure offer or demand? The ambiguity is telling. This recurring motif, with its seeds in antiquity, is a testament to our collective memory. The power of gesture is a silent language that resonates through time. De Hooghe captures more than just a man standing; he encapsulates a timeless expression of human interaction, forever imprinted in our cultural psyche.