Nøgen kvinde med fremstrakte arme, set fra ryggen. (En flygtende nymfe) 1671 - 1738

This red chalk drawing by Hendrik Krock captures a nude woman, her arms reaching out as if in flight or desperate escape, her back turned to us. The gesture of outstretched arms is ancient, resonating with the classical image of a fleeing nymph, a symbol of vulnerability and transformation. We see echoes of this motif in countless works across time, from the terrified figures in Pompeian frescoes to the dramatic poses in Renaissance paintings. Think of Botticelli's Venus, her gesture of modesty echoing a similar sense of self-awareness. The open palms suggest both an attempt to ward off danger and a plea for help, a primal scream rendered in the delicate medium of chalk. This symbol is not static; it evolves, acquiring new layers of meaning with each iteration. It speaks to our collective memory, tapping into our subconscious understanding of fear, desire, and the eternal human struggle for freedom.