Jehan Rictus 

This is a print of Jehan Rictus by Théophile Alexandre Steinlen. The image shows a man with his head tilted downwards, a gesture laden with historical weight. We see it echo through time, from depictions of mourning figures in ancient Roman sarcophagi to Christian iconography of the sorrowful Virgin Mary. This downward tilt speaks to a universal posture of grief, introspection, or humility. The very act of bowing one's head is deeply embedded in our collective consciousness. It signifies submission, reverence, or shame. In moments of sorrow, our bodies mirror our emotions. Here, in Steinlen’s print, the tilt of the head evokes a profound sense of melancholy. The emotional power of this image resides in its ability to tap into our shared human experiences. It is a cyclical progression, and we see it resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings in different historical contexts.