17096 (_I tell you with my mouth ..._) 1932

This artwork was made by John Elsas, it presents a figure with hands raised in what appears to be a gesture of speech or supplication. The raised hand, a universal symbol found across epochs, serves as a visual declaration. It speaks of humanity’s fundamental need to communicate, assert, and connect. The image is very reminiscent of ancient orators, where gestures were crucial in conveying emotion and emphasis. In Egyptian art, we see similar gestures of offering and reverence. This motif has been echoed and transformed through Byzantine mosaics to Renaissance paintings, each time carrying a renewed yet familiar emotional charge. This gesture is deeply imprinted in our collective memory, a primal form of expression resonating across cultures. The figure, rendered in simple blocks of color, reduces humanity to its most basic form. The act of speaking, declaring—it is a potent force, engaging viewers on a subconscious level. This isn't just a depiction; it's an invocation.