Self-Portrait c. 1779

This red chalk drawing is John Flaxman's Self-Portrait. The artist's gaze is direct, but it’s his hand that captures our attention, specifically, the index finger pointing downwards. This gesture has rich historical roots. The downward-pointing index finger is frequently associated with authority, divine judgment, and direction. We see it in Renaissance art, where God points downwards to Adam, giving him life, or in depictions of Saint John the Baptist, directing attention towards Christ. Here, the gesture takes on a new psychological weight, the artist may be pointing towards the depths of his own being, exploring inner thoughts and artistic intent. It's an invitation into the artist’s psyche, a journey that goes beyond a mere visual representation of an individual. This isn’t just a portrait; it’s an act of self-analysis, resonating with layers of cultural memory. The gesture, charged with the weight of history, engages viewers on a deep, subconscious level.