Sketches of Two Male Heads in Profile to Right n.d.

This drawing presents us with two studies of male heads, each turned in profile and rendered in delicate strokes of pen and ink. Notice how both figures are depicted with their hands raised to their faces, their fingers near their temples. This is the ancient gesture of melancholia. We can trace the iconography of this gesture all the way back to antiquity. Think of the Greek Titans, often portrayed in attitudes of brooding contemplation, their hands supporting their heads as they contemplate their fate. This motif evolved through the Middle Ages, often associated with religious figures in moments of sorrow or repentance. Consider how this gesture has been passed down through history, resurfacing in the Renaissance, and even in modern photography. It speaks to a shared human experience. The expression resonates with us on a profound, subconscious level, evoking emotions of grief, introspection, and the weight of human existence. It reminds us that, across time and cultures, humans have grappled with similar emotional burdens, giving form to what cannot be articulated.