Figuurstudies c. 1863

Cornelis Springer created this evocative figure study, now held at the Rijksmuseum, with delicate lines that capture more than mere form. The figure is crouched forward, seemingly in a posture of either deep contemplation or distress. Note the barely-there sketch of the face, tilted downward, and the reaching hand—a gesture laden with potential meanings. This motif echoes across centuries; it’s reminiscent of supplicating figures in ancient Roman reliefs, or even mourning figures that symbolize grief in medieval art. The hand, in particular, is a powerful signifier. Think of its presence in Renaissance depictions of Christ carrying the cross or in scenes of lamentation. Here, in Springer's sketch, the hand becomes a vessel, a locus of unspoken emotion, connecting the past and present. The non-linear trajectory of this symbol is fascinating; resurfacing, evolving, and taking on new meanings in different historical contexts.