Antiochus I and Stratonice (recto), and Seated Woman (verso) n.d.

This drawing depicts Antiochus I and Stratonice, rendered by an anonymous artist. It captures a narrative steeped in dynastic intrigue. Antiochus, consumed by a forbidden love for his stepmother Stratonice, languishes, his ailment a secret known only to his physician. The raised hand, a recurring motif throughout art history, signals revelation and acknowledgement. We see echoes of it in countless scenes of annunciation and epiphany. The physician, in a moment of astute observation, recognizes the cause of Antiochus's distress when he sees Stratonice, and raises his hand. This gesture, laden with meaning, connects to ancient Roman depictions of doctors healing the sick. The drawing speaks to enduring human dramas, demonstrating how symbols persist and evolve, revealing the complex interplay between cultural memory and emotional expression.