Studie voor een portret van een jong meisje 1882 - 1957

René Victor Auberjonois sketched this portrait of a young girl in pencil on paper, capturing the essence of his sitter in a candid yet poised pose. Consider her hands: clasped delicately, they speak to a restraint and controlled energy. The gesture is not unlike that seen in classical depictions of modesty, a motif tracing back to ancient sculptures of Venus Pudica, where the goddess covers herself. Yet, here, it is not about concealing but rather presenting an image of quiet composure. The 'modest Venus' gesture evolves through medieval and Renaissance art, often associated with purity. In Auberjonois’ study, however, it is less about traditional virtue and more about psychological introspection. The girl’s gentle hand-holding evokes a sense of interiority and a modern understanding of self-awareness. This is the enduring power of symbols: their ability to morph, adapt, and resonate across epochs, carrying echoes of the past into our present.