Costume Study before 1852

Henri Lehmann's "Costume Study" reveals a figure cloaked in voluminous robes, their arms raised in a gesture of supplication or benediction. This posture, laden with historical weight, immediately calls to mind the "orant" figures of early Christian art, their raised hands symbolizing prayer and communion with the divine. Consider how this motif echoes through time, resurfacing in Renaissance depictions of saints and, later, in Romantic-era paintings seeking to evoke spiritual transcendence. This gesture taps into something primal and deeply rooted in our collective psyche, connecting us to a rich tradition of religious expression. The act of raising one’s hands is a visual manifestation of an internal state of hope, surrender, or profound connection to something greater than oneself. It reminds us that symbols are never static but are constantly being reinterpreted and imbued with new emotional resonance.