Sitzender Hartmut als Akt, aus _Ritter Hartmut von Kronberg bei dem Reformator Oecolampadius in Basel_ 

Victor Müller sketched this nude study of Hartmut to prepare for his depiction of the knight’s meeting with Oecolampadius. Notice Hartmut's crossed legs, a seemingly simple pose. Yet, it carries echoes across time. Think back to antiquity, to depictions of contemplative philosophers and seated rulers. This position speaks of introspection and authority, but here, the nudity complicates matters. Hartmut is exposed, vulnerable. The cross-legged pose, thus, becomes less about power and more about self-reflection. We see it re-emerge later in art history, from Renaissance portraits to Romantic depictions of thinkers and poets. The motif of the crossed legs is not merely a physical stance but a psychological one. It represents a pause, a moment of consideration and perhaps a subconscious retreat from the world. Müller captures not just a body, but a state of mind, revealing the lasting power of images to convey profound human experiences. A timeless expression that continues to evolve and resurface, echoing through the ages.