Old man and boy 1889

Joan Brull painted this ‘Old Man and Boy’ in 1889. At its heart, is the motif of the elder passing down wisdom to the younger. We see the old man pointing a finger in what seems like instruction, a gesture reminiscent of depictions of prophets imparting sacred knowledge. Consider the hand gesture, often associated with authority and teaching. Think of John the Baptist pointing towards heaven in Renaissance paintings. Here, the gesture has a more intimate quality, but it carries a similar weight of guidance. The motif of mentorship echoes through time, from ancient philosophers to modern day teachers, each imparting knowledge. This act of storytelling taps into something deeply ingrained in us. It evokes a primal scene of learning and connection. This powerful image resonates because it reflects our own yearning for guidance and understanding, reminding us of the cyclical nature of knowledge passed down through generations.