In 't Jaar 1462 c. 1789 - 1810

This small drawing, dating back to 1462, depicts a preacher in full oration, his book raised high. Observe the figures surrounding him, their arms gesturing upwards in fervent agreement or passionate dispute. Consider the raised hand, a motif as old as humanity itself. In ancient Rome, the gesture signified oratory skill. Yet, venture eastward, and we find the raised hand in Buddhist art, embodying protection and dispelling fear. The same gesture appears in Renaissance paintings, signaling divine intervention. How is it that a single human expression can traverse epochs, accumulating layers of meaning, resonating with shared psychological experiences of authority and defiance? Here, we see it embodying not just rhetoric or power, but also, perhaps, a deep-seated longing for connection with the divine. This urge is a recurring theme in human history, manifesting in diverse forms across cultures, each echoing the same primal desire for understanding and belonging.