Cassandra 

Rossetti created this ink drawing of Cassandra, the tragic figure of Greek myth, known for her prophecies that were never believed. Here, Rossetti captures the fall of Troy, dominated by soldiers and the anguish of the Trojan women. The raised hands appear repeatedly across cultures, from ancient Egyptian art to Christian iconography, signifying distress or supplication. Cassandra’s dramatic gesture in the throes of disbelief is powerful. There is a psychoanalytic aspect to this pose that appears across time as trauma imprints itself on collective memory. Look at the classical composition, reminiscent of a frieze, almost a stage. It’s a poignant symbol of human suffering, a recurrent theme echoed through history in art.