Richard III, from Shakespeare´s Richard III 1783 - 1787

Nicolai Abildgaard captured this oil on canvas depicting Richard III, drawing inspiration from Shakespeare’s play. Note the figure's gesture. His hand rises to his forehead, a universal sign of distress, of being overwhelmed by inner turmoil. Consider how this motif echoes through centuries of art. Think of the figures in ancient Greek tragedies, their faces contorted in sorrow, a hand raised in despair. This gesture, passed down through generations, surfaces again and again, evolving with each retelling. Here, in Richard's posture, we see more than just fear. We witness the manifestation of guilt and paranoia, emotions that have haunted humanity since time immemorial. Abildgaard taps into our collective memory, reminding us that the shadows of our past always linger, shaping our present fears and anxieties. It’s a potent symbol, resonating with the enduring human struggle against one's own conscience.