Buste van man met opgeheven arm 1620 - 1664

Stefano della Bella sketched this "Bust of a Man with Raised Arm" in the 17th century. The raised arm, a gesture we see echoed through the ages, is a potent symbol. Consider the Roman emperors, often depicted with a raised hand to command attention, or bestow blessings. Look back further and you see gods and orators using the same gesture. This motif isn't just about authority; it speaks to something deeper in the collective consciousness. Think of the "Ecstasy of Saint Teresa" by Bernini: the raised hand is not of command, but of submission and religious ecstasy. Or even the image of a man being sworn into office. The gesture becomes embedded in our cultural memory, a non-linear, cyclical progression, surfacing repeatedly, each time colored by the context, imbued with new meaning. It's a powerful force that engages us on a subconscious level.