Friese vrouwen op het ijs 1812

Ludwig Gottlieb Portman created this print of Friese women on ice. Notice the woman pointing. This gesture, seemingly simple, echoes across centuries. The act of pointing appears throughout history. From ancient Roman oratory, where a pointed finger emphasized a speaker’s conviction, to Renaissance art, where it guided the viewer’s eye to a critical detail. Consider Leonardo da Vinci's "John the Baptist," in which the titular figure points accusingly to the heavens. How did Portman know the "proper" way to point? Did Da Vinci? But here, the gesture evolves again. It's a practical directive, not a divine judgment. The woman directs her companion, perhaps guiding her across the ice. This subtle shift reveals the fascinating ways in which symbols are repurposed, reflecting changing social contexts and cultural values. This simple, human moment engages us on a subconscious level.