Skitsebog nr. 22 Dresden - München 1840-41 1840 - 1841

This sketchbook page was made by Lorenz Frølich in Dresden or Munich around 1840-41 using pencil. Here, we see various studies of human heads in profile, each turned slightly, but one pose stands out; a figure kneeling, head resting on what appears to be a pillow or cloth, reminiscent of depictions of sleeping children throughout history. Think of Cupid and Psyche, or even earlier, the motif of the sleeping Ariadne. There is a universal longing for peaceful rest, and its visual representation goes far beyond a simple representation of a state of relaxation. It’s worth noting how the act of ‘kneeling’ in itself often signifies vulnerability and submission. The combination of these motifs speaks to something deeply rooted in our subconscious. It's a cyclical expression, constantly resurfacing and evolving through our shared cultural memory.