Etude d’un damné du Jugement Dernier de la Chapelle Sixtine à Rome, par Michel-Ange c. 19th century

This drawing by Léon Bonnat captures a figure from Michelangelo’s "Last Judgement" in the Sistine Chapel. Notice the damned soul covering his face, a gesture of despair. This motif of covering one's face echoes through art history, representing grief, shame, or overwhelming horror. Consider its appearance in ancient Greek tragedies, where characters often shield their faces in moments of intense suffering. The gesture transcends its immediate context, becoming a universal symbol of human anguish. One might also recall similar gestures in depictions of the Expulsion from Paradise. The recurrence of this symbol points to a deep-seated psychological resonance. Through generations, artists have tapped into this collective memory, harnessing its power to evoke profound emotions in viewers. The face, typically a mirror of the soul, becomes obscured. This hiding suggests a subconscious desire to retreat from unbearable realities.