Landschap met cavalerie c. 1737

Jacques Philippe Le Bas created this landscape with cavalry with etching. Note the pointing figure, a motif as old as the hills. This gesture, directing the viewer's gaze, is a potent symbol in art. It appears in Renaissance paintings, such as Leonardo da Vinci's "John the Baptist", guiding us toward divine knowledge, and in ancient Roman sculptures, where generals point to new territories. It represents authority, guidance, and destiny. Yet, its meaning isn't fixed. Think of Caravaggio's "The Calling of St. Matthew," where Christ's pointing finger seeks out Matthew. The gesture here invites a turn from worldliness to spiritual awakening, suggesting a shared, subconscious desire for meaning, direction, and purpose. Its appearance in Le Bas's landscape evokes a deep engagement with the viewer, perhaps urging the viewer to contemplate their own path or the narratives that shape collective memory. This symbol evolves and resonates across time, its echo rippling through centuries, as we struggle to find meaning in a chaotic world.