Portrait of a Man, Said to be Christopher Columbus (born about 1446, died 1506) 1519

Sebastiano del Piombo painted this portrait of a man, purportedly Christopher Columbus, capturing more than just his likeness. The hands, gently clasped, draw our attention. Consider the gesture of the hand: across centuries, clasped hands have signified contemplation, authority, even a certain melancholy. We see it echoed in countless portraits of rulers, philosophers, and saints. Think of the stoic philosophers of ancient Greece, their hands similarly posed, symbolizing inner strength and control. Yet, here, there is a weariness, a hint of the burdens carried. This motif of the clasped hand speaks to the human condition—a visual echo passed down through time. It highlights our shared experiences of reflection, power, and the weight of responsibility. These symbols are non-linear; reappearing, evolving, and acquiring new meanings across history.