The Ascension of Christ (recto); Head of a Bearded Man Looking Down (verso) 1732 - 1742

Pierre Charles Trémolières rendered this chalk drawing of The Ascension of Christ in the 18th century. Note how the figures strain their necks, their gazes and arms lifted heavenward. This upward gesture isn't unique to this scene; it echoes through time. Consider the ancient depictions of emperors ascending to the heavens, their arms outstretched in a similar plea to be received by the gods. We find it again in countless religious paintings, a visual language of longing and spiritual yearning. It is a symbol laden with emotional weight, isn't it? In this drawing, the disciples' upturned faces reveal a mix of awe and abandonment, a deeply human response to the divine leaving the earthly realm. This motif is not just a representation, but a conduit for the collective memory of mankind's quest for transcendence. It connects us to our ancestors' hopes and fears, resurfacing across centuries in an unbroken chain.