Gezicht 1774

Jean-Baptiste Leprince rendered this drawing, titled ‘Gezicht’, using brush in brown and gray ink. The scene is dominated by figures gathered around what seems to be a display of wares, their expressions and gestures hinting at curiosity. Here, one man's outstretched arm directs the viewer's focus. Throughout history, the gesture of pointing has served not only to guide attention but also to signify power. Think of John the Baptist, whose pointing towards the divine Lamb is a call for recognition of Christ's sacred identity. Over time, however, the gesture of pointing has taken on secular dimensions. In this artwork, the repetitive gesture conveys a primal, intuitive recognition of value. It taps into our collective memory of trade and interaction, engaging us on a subconscious level. The pointing is not just about commerce but the cyclical progression of desire and fulfillment. It evolves and resurfaces, taking on new meanings with each interaction.