Portrait of Michel van Mos 1892

Theo van Rysselberghe rendered this stately "Portrait of Michel van Mos" with oil on canvas. Note the posture of the man, arms crossed. This simple gesture, seen throughout history, conveys authority, self-assurance, but also an emotional distance. Think back to ancient sculptures of emperors, medieval depictions of saints, and even modern-day portraits of political figures. This gesture's recurrence in art underscores the subconscious influence of collective memory. What could be interpreted as confidence might also carry connotations of defiance or rigidity. Consider how this posture appears across different cultures—in some, it might signal respect; in others, resistance. The emotional power of this age-old posture resides in its capacity to evoke feelings of admiration, doubt, or even opposition, linking us to a shared visual language that transcends time. Thus, even a simple gesture has the power to trigger deeply rooted emotions.