Straßentypen aus Frankfurt, meist Soldaten 1792

Johann Friedrich Morgenstern captured these Street Types from Frankfurt, mostly soldiers, in a sketch. Note the handshake. A gesture as old as time itself. The act of clasping hands, a symbol of agreement, reconciliation, and peace, transcends cultures, echoing from ancient Roman bas-reliefs depicting treaties to medieval oaths of fealty. Consider its evolution: initially a literal surrender of weapons, demonstrating peaceful intent, it has become a symbolic language, a potent, almost instinctual expression of connection. Psychologically, the handshake taps into deep-seated needs for trust and social bonding. The subtle nuances—the firmness of grip, the duration, the eye contact—speak volumes, revealing subconscious intentions and emotional states. Observe how Morgenstern captures this charged moment, a subtle acknowledgment of human interconnectedness that continues to resonate across centuries, a testament to the enduring power of symbolic gestures in art and life.