Twee vrouwen, waarvan één een mansbeeld omhelst 1677 - 1755

Elias van Nijmegen rendered this drawing with pen in brown ink, depicting two women with a statue. One woman embraces the sculpted man, her hands clasped around his torso in a tender, almost mournful gesture. Such embraces echo through the ages, reminiscent of ancient funerary art where figures cling to sarcophagi, seeking solace from the unyielding stone. Consider the medieval depictions of Mary Magdalene at the foot of the cross, her arms outstretched in anguish, embodying grief. Here, the embrace transcends mere physical contact; it becomes a conduit for emotional energy. The gesture surfaces in various forms across cultures—a primal response to loss and a reaching out for connection. The hand raised in supplication and despair—a universal symbol of humanity in extremis, echoing through time. It’s a haunting reminder of our collective, subconscious understanding of love and loss.