Alcamène ziet Chariclée, liggend in bed 1623

This print, made by Michel Lasne, depicts a scene with Alcamène discovering Chariclée in bed. The motif of discovery and the dramatic gestures of surprise and vulnerability are central here. Consider the open-mouthed expression, a primal scream echoing across centuries. We see it in Laocoön's agony, twisted by serpents, and in countless depictions of saints undergoing revelation. This scream isn't merely pain; it's the raw expression of the soul confronting the unexpected. Chariclée’s pose, with her hands raised in a defensive posture, reminds us of Venus Pudica, a classical motif of modesty. Yet, here, the gesture is imbued with fear and shock, turning modesty into a moment of exposed vulnerability. These archetypal expressions tap into our collective unconscious, evoking a sense of shared human experience. They remind us that, despite the passage of time, certain emotions and reactions remain deeply ingrained in our psyche, resurfacing again and again in the theater of human life.