Interieur met geestelijke, dame en jongeman 1734 - 1801

This drawing by Jacobus Buys presents a scene with a clergyman, a lady, and a young man. What strikes the eye is the clergyman’s gesture; his hand outstretched, a symbol laden with centuries of meaning. We see echoes of this gesture across time— from ancient orators to religious figures bestowing blessings. Consider the hand of God in Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel, or even the pointing fingers in political propaganda, it embodies authority, direction, and influence. In Buys's drawing, the gesture may signify guidance or judgement, yet it invites a deeper look at our collective unconscious. Does it promise salvation, or does it threaten damnation? This single motif pulls us into the currents of cultural memory, constantly shifting and resurfacing. The clergyman’s hand becomes a conduit, connecting past epochs with present anxieties, a reminder of the cyclical nature of symbols and their enduring power over the human psyche.