Standing Pregnant Woman (Study for the Pregnant Virgin Mary) 1556 - 1629

Bartolomeo Cesi rendered this sanguine drawing, a study for the Pregnant Virgin Mary, during the late 16th or early 17th century. Here, the Virgin stands with hands clasped in prayer, a universal symbol of supplication and devotion. The gesture of clasped hands transcends cultures, reappearing in ancient Egyptian sculptures, where figures often hold their hands together in a sign of reverence. This motif echoes through medieval Christian art, symbolizing piety. It embodies a deep-seated human desire for connection with the divine. Think of other images where this gesture has been used: in the Hindu tradition, the 'Anjali Mudra', is a posture of respect and greeting, further cementing the gesture's place in our collective consciousness. Such imagery taps into our subconscious, evoking feelings of humility and spiritual yearning. This cyclical progression of symbolism, resurfacing and evolving, highlights our enduring search for meaning.