Brustbild eines Mannes mit Mütze, die linke Hand vor die Brust haltend (Selbstbildnis_) 

This sketch, held at the Städel Museum, is a self-portrait by Christian Wilhelm Ernst Dietrich. Notice the feathered cap, a signifier of the artist's creative persona, a whimsical, almost theatrical flourish. More striking, however, is the gesture of the hand held to the chest. This motif echoes through art history. Consider the "Ecce Homo" depictions, where Christ presents himself, hand near his chest, inviting contemplation of suffering. Here, Dietrich seems to borrow this posture, albeit secularizing it. The hand, no longer an emblem of sacrifice, becomes a marker of self-awareness, a vulnerability laid bare. It is a gesture of introspection, subtly echoing the classical "pudica" pose, a gesture of modesty and inward reflection seen in ancient sculptures. In Dietrich’s hands, this evolves into a profound statement about the artist's role. The image evokes a dialogue across time, where gestures accumulate layers of meaning, reflecting our collective memory.