Portret van Maria Theresia, Rooms-Duits keizerin 1740 - 1788

This is Johann Esaias Nilson's portrait of Maria Theresa, Roman-German Empress, made as an engraving. Observe Maria Theresa’s hand gently placed upon her chest, a gesture of humility and sincerity. This motif echoes across centuries; consider the countless depictions of monarchs and saints employing similar gestures. It evokes the ancient Roman "adlocutio," where orators would raise their hand to command attention. The gesture's transformation from a symbol of authority to one of heartfelt honesty speaks volumes about shifting cultural values. The human psyche imbues such gestures with meaning far beyond their literal form. It speaks to a deep-seated need for connection, for reassurance that those in power are not distant figures but share our common humanity. This recurs again and again, echoing in different contexts. This emblem returns, reformed yet recognizable, in our modern gestures of sincerity.