Zwei sitzende Frauen, im Profil nach links c. 1771 - 1772

This pencil drawing by Georg Melchior Kraus, titled "Zwei sitzende Frauen, im Profil nach links," depicts two women seated in profile, their gaze directed to the left. Note how the artist rendered the women’s attire and hairstyles with careful attention to detail, reflecting the fashions of the time. This attention to detail echoes through history. Think of ancient Roman portraiture or Renaissance paintings; the depiction of clothing and hairstyle reflects an understanding of cultural identity. Consider the pose of the two women – the way they sit, their hands resting in their laps, and their bodies slightly turned toward each other. This subtle interaction invokes a psychological space between them, a sense of shared experience and perhaps a silent understanding. This brings to mind similar motifs in art history, the female gaze or quiet intimacy between women as depicted in medieval tapestries or early modern genre paintings. Such motifs, passed down through history, may have been subconsciously ingrained in Kraus's artistic expression. The cultural memory embedded in these visual symbols and gestures invites viewers to engage with the artwork on a deep, subconscious level, transcending time and place.