Twee scènes uit de komedie Heauton Timorumenos van Terentius 1716 - 1718

This etching by Bernard Picart visualizes two scenes from Terence's comedy *Heauton Timorumenos*. Notice the recurring motif of expressive gestures, particularly the open, raised hands. This is a universal signal of astonishment, supplication, or even accusation. In the first scene, the figure on the left extends their hands in a gesture of explanation or mediation. This can be found echoed in Renaissance paintings depicting the Annunciation, where the angel Gabriel raises a hand to communicate with Mary. Similarly, In the second scene, some figures extend their arms in what appears to be dancing. The hand gestures and the overall choreography carry emotional weight, underscoring a shared human experience across time and space. They engage our subconscious recognition of codified expressions, passed down through visual culture, echoing in our collective memory.