Leontes, die Statue Hermiones erblickend c. 1868 - 1871

Victor Müller sketched "Leontes, die Statue Hermiones erblickend," capturing a moment of profound emotion. Leontes kneels, arms raised in supplication or astonishment, his posture mirroring gestures seen across centuries in scenes of religious ecstasy or dramatic realization. Consider the raised arms. This "Ad Locutio" gesture is a symbol of communication with the divine, a plea found in ancient Roman oratory and early Christian art. It is reprised throughout the Renaissance in depictions of saints and biblical figures. Yet, here, its presence evokes a more complex, deeply personal plea. The motif transforms. From a symbol of power or divine connection, it becomes an expression of human vulnerability and longing. This transformation speaks to the enduring power of images, their ability to convey the most profound of human states across time and cultures, resonating within our collective memory.