Sheet of Studies 1871 - 1876

In this drawing, Cézanne uses ink to sketch figures that hint at classical themes, figures that emerge from memory. The upward-reaching pose, seen in the figure with arms raised, is a vital expression, a formula of heightened emotion that stretches back through time. From ancient depictions of ecstatic maenads to Renaissance allegories, this gesture embodies a release, a surrender to powerful forces. Consider, too, the floating figure above. This motif of levitation, or rising up, suggests transcendence. Such figures are not merely aesthetic choices; they are carriers of cultural memory, resurfacing in new forms. This transmission speaks to our collective subconscious, where primal emotions reside, ready to be awakened by a familiar pose or narrative. The act of remembering transforms and keeps symbols alive.