Bedelende Belisarius 1837 - 1843

This print by the Van Lier brothers depicts the apocryphal tale of Belisarius, the great Byzantine general, reduced to begging. The outstretched hand, a motif laden with the weight of supplication, dominates the composition. Consider the hand, from ancient Egyptian art, where it symbolized power and authority, to its later appearance in Christian iconography as a gesture of blessing or divine intervention. Here, the hand is inverted – the powerful general debased, now dependent on the charity of others. The psychological weight of this image is palpable. It taps into our collective fear of fallen greatness and the capriciousness of fate. Note how the faces in the crowd reflect a range of emotions—pity, indifference, perhaps even a hint of schadenfreude. These expressions mirror the complex, often contradictory feelings we harbor towards those who have lost their status. The gesture transcends mere depiction; it evokes a powerful emotional and psychological response, engaging us on a subconscious level. The symbol has resurfaced, evolved, and taken on new meanings in this historical context.