Jongeman op een bank 1814 - 1859

This undated print by David van der Kellen, housed in the Rijksmuseum, shows a young man slumped on a bench. His head rests heavily on his hand, a gesture laden with melancholic contemplation. This pose, the head supported by the hand, echoes through centuries. From depictions of melancholic philosophers in classical antiquity to countless representations of mourning figures in Renaissance art, this gesture signifies introspection and sorrow. Think of Michelangelo's pensive figures, lost in thought and bearing the weight of the world. Consider how this motif has evolved. Initially associated with scholarly pursuits, it gradually becomes infused with deeper psychological meaning, embodying existential angst. This image touches something primal, something we carry within us, a universal feeling of weariness and resignation. It resonates across time, tapping into a shared consciousness.