Christus und die blutflüssige Frau 

This drawing by Maarten van Heemskerck depicts Christ and the woman with the issue of blood. Dominating the composition is the woman, kneeling in supplication, her hands clasped in prayer. This posture, a universal symbol of supplication, transcends time, echoing across cultures from ancient Egyptian depictions of kneeling pharaohs to the Christian iconography. Observe Christ’s gesture – an open hand, palm outward. It’s a gesture of acceptance but also of revelation, found in Roman oratory, and later, Christian art to signify divine pronouncements. The surrounding figures react, a chorus of witnesses, their faces a study in curiosity. The motif of healing through touch is ancient. We find it in the relics of saints, the laying on of hands, and even in modern faith healing. This act taps into our collective memory, a primal desire for physical and spiritual wholeness. The woman’s faith, her desperate act of touching Christ’s garment, speaks to the profound psychological need for redemption. This image engages us on a subconscious level, resonating with our own vulnerabilities and yearning for solace. This symbol of healing resurfaces throughout history, constantly evolving, reminding us of our shared human condition.