This Was a Religious Mystery 1892 - 1899

Maurice Denis created this drawing, "This Was a Religious Mystery", using crayon and graphite. The title itself presents us with the central theme of spirituality. A woman gazes towards a looming figure, her hands raised in what could be prayer or supplication. Consider the gesture of raised hands. We see it echoed through centuries, from ancient Egyptian depictions of worship to Renaissance paintings of the Annunciation. It speaks to a universal human desire to connect with the divine. The act transcends specific religions, tapping into a collective memory of seeking something beyond ourselves. Think of the emotional power inherent in such a gesture—hope, fear, reverence—emotions deeply embedded in our subconscious. This image resonates with a yearning for spiritual understanding, for deciphering life's mysteries through the power of symbols.