Figure Studies 1801

These “Figure Studies” were made on paper by Johann Georg von Dillis in the late 18th century. Note how Dillis captures the gesture of pointing, a motif that transcends centuries. Consider the hand in Leonardo da Vinci’s “John the Baptist,” directing our gaze heavenward, or even the ancient Roman emperors extending their arms to address crowds. The gesture of pointing—assertive, directive, and communicative—reappears through time, each instance echoing past intentions. The act of pointing, charged with intent, can ignite within us a primal response, a subconscious understanding of direction and purpose. As an art historian, I see how gestures transcend their immediate context, becoming vessels of collective memory, reminding us that art history is not linear but cyclical, a constant return and reinvention.