Fotoreproductie van een schilderij van Manfred en Astarte c. 1882 - 1910

This photographic reproduction captures a painting of Manfred and Astarte. The kneeling figure of Manfred before the ethereal Astarte holds a particular emotional charge that has echoed through centuries. The act of kneeling—a posture of supplication and reverence—traces back to ancient religious rituals, where individuals knelt before deities or sacred objects. We see it in Egyptian art, where pharaohs kneel before their gods, and later in Christian iconography, with saints and sinners alike kneeling in prayer or repentance. This gesture has been passed down through history, shifting from religious devotion to secular displays of submission or respect. Consider the collective memory embedded in such gestures. On a subconscious level, it may evoke feelings of humility, reverence, or even subjugation, engaging viewers on a deep, subconscious level. This emotional power has resurfaced and evolved, taking on new meanings in different historical contexts.