Fotoreproductie van een detail van het fresco door Michelangelo in de Sixtijnse Kapel in Rome, voorstellend de profeet Jeremia c. 1875 - 1900

This is a photographic reproduction of Michelangelo's fresco of the prophet Jeremiah, part of the Sistine Chapel ceiling in Rome. Note Jeremiah’s pose, head resting heavily on his hand: a universal symbol of deep contemplation and melancholy. This gesture echoes across time. We find it in ancient sculptures of mourning philosophers, medieval depictions of the Virgin Mary in sorrow, and even in modern photographs capturing moments of personal grief. The "melancholic" pose is laden with cultural significance, its repetition reveals how deeply ingrained human emotions are. It reflects a collective memory of suffering and reflection. Consider how this image affects you. Does it not stir within you feelings of introspection or empathy? The power of Jeremiah lies not only in Michelangelo’s skill but in his ability to tap into the reservoir of shared human experience, a potent force engaging viewers on a subconscious level. Through pose and expression, the weight of history and prophecy bears down upon the prophet, and upon us too.