De geschiedenis van een neus 1876 - 1890

This is a lithograph titled 'The History of a Nose' by Michelet, a series of cartoon panels narrating the life of a boy fixated on his nose. The nose, prominently featured, evolves into a symbol of self-perception and social anxiety. We see the boy constantly touching his nose, a gesture laden with self-consciousness. Notice how this motif echoes in other artworks across time, where touch signifies not only physical interaction but also profound psychological unease. Think of the melancholic figures in Renaissance paintings, their fingers lightly tracing their faces. This primal gesture, passed down through history, reveals a deep-seated connection between self-awareness and anxiety. Such repetition suggests a collective memory, a subconscious acknowledgment of our own imperfections. This image engages viewers on a profound level, tapping into our own self-scrutiny and resonating with the emotional weight of cultural symbols that persist through the ages.