Dimensions: height 435 mm, width 294 mm
Copyright: Rijks Museum: Open Domain
Louis Fabritius Dubourg created this drawing of a boy with raised arms next to a lying, bearded man in the 18th century. The image depicts two men in a power dynamic. The standing boy is young, muscular and in control, with his fists clenched and raised above his head. In contrast, the older bearded man is lying down, defeated. The artwork may be read through the lens of historical power structures, where youth and strength symbolize dominance. Masculinity is presented as a performance, where the spectacle of physical superiority dictates hierarchy. The drawing evokes questions about generational conflict and the transient nature of power. Consider the emotional weight carried by these figures. Their poses suggest a narrative of struggle and submission. Dubourg's work transcends a mere depiction of anatomy; it captures a moment laden with societal implications. This image challenges us to consider whose stories are told and whose bodies are valorized in art.
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