Stehender weiblicher Akt in Vorderansicht, mit gesenktem Kopf den linken Arm angewinkelt erhoben 

This is a pencil drawing by Victor Müller, held at the Städel Museum. The figure's head is bowed, and her left arm is raised in a subtle gesture. The raised arm, a motif laden with historical significance, is known as the ‘pathos formula’. We see it in ancient depictions of maenads, women overcome by divine frenzy, and in countless images of lamentation and grief across various cultures. Think of the figures in Renaissance depositions, their arms flung wide in anguish. This gesture is not merely physical; it speaks to an inner state of emotional turmoil. It touches upon our collective memories, our shared understanding of sorrow and release, of ecstasy and despair. Consider how this simple upward reach has echoed through the ages. From antiquity to the Renaissance, it has been a vessel for conveying intense emotional states, engaging viewers on a deep, subconscious level. As we trace its evolution, we see a powerful force, engaging viewers on a deep, subconscious level. It has resurfaced, evolved, and taken on new meanings in different historical contexts.