Stående kvindelig model med armene løftet over hovedet, f.o.t.v. endnu en model. 1906 - 1909

This ink drawing by Othon Friesz captures two standing female figures. The primary figure, arms raised above her head, presents a gesture that echoes through art history. We see it first perhaps in depictions of ecstatic dance, or in the Christian narrative of the crucifixion, a surrender to fate. Think of the figures in classical friezes, their arms lifted in moments of triumph, or despair. This motif, which I call a 'pathos formula,' transcends time. Consider how the pose has been used across eras to convey extreme emotional states, from agony to liberation. Our collective memory imprints these images onto our subconscious, so when we encounter this gesture, it resonates deeply. It acts as a visual shorthand for the most powerful, transformative experiences. As a symbol, it continually resurfaces, evolving with each new context, forever a mirror to humanity's enduring passions.