Sculptuur van Claudia van Valois, koningin van Frankrijk 1818 - 1848

Jacopo Bernardi made this sculpture of Claudia of Valois, Queen of France, in the 19th century. Look closely and observe the gesture of prayer. Hands clasped tightly together were originally a sign of supplication but have become, over time, a symbol of devotion and faith. This posture echoes through centuries of religious art, from the early Christian catacombs to Renaissance altarpieces. Consider how the same gesture appears in ancient Roman sculptures, where conquered barbarians kneel before emperors in submission. Observe how the hands, pressed together, serve as a conduit, channeling the emotional intensity of the figure toward the divine. The act of kneeling itself, a physical manifestation of humility, speaks to our collective subconscious, stirring feelings of reverence and introspection. Just like a recurring dream, it reappears, transformed yet familiar. The pose reminds us of humanity’s eternal quest for meaning, as symbols evolve across time, weaving through our cultural memory, constantly reshaped by new contexts.