Ajax aus Peter von Cornelius' Zerstörung von Troja 1825

Eugen Eduard Schäffer rendered this preparatory drawing of Ajax for Peter von Cornelius’s "Destruction of Troy" with pencil on paper. Note the back view of the muscular, helmeted figure of Ajax, whose raised fist and tense posture embody raw power and readiness for battle. The clenched fist, a universal symbol of defiance and strength, appears across epochs, from ancient Greek sculptures to revolutionary posters. The gesture evokes the “Pathosformel,” the formula of passion, seen in antiquity. The “Pathosformel” transmits intense emotion across time. Consider how such gestures recur in Renaissance art and even in modern political imagery. The helmet, more than mere protection, marks Ajax as a hero, channeling the spirit of classical warriors and resonating with our collective memory of courage and conflict. These symbols tap into deep-seated cultural narratives, revealing how images persist and evolve, echoing through history.