Moses 

Leo Katz rendered this drawing of Moses using graphite. The figure sits, holding what is presumably the Torah, his gaze directed upwards, perhaps in contemplation or prayer. Notice the beard, a signifier of wisdom, linking the figure to ancient philosophers. The beard as an emblem of knowledge and authority recurs throughout history, from the statues of bearded Greek thinkers to the elders depicted in Renaissance paintings. Consider, too, the gesture of holding a book, a symbol laden with significance. Throughout antiquity, the book signified knowledge, authority, and divine inspiration. Such iconography transports us back through time, evoking collective memories and tapping into the subconscious reverence for wisdom. This connection resonates deeply, engaging viewers in a dialogue that transcends the artwork’s immediate context. The cyclical nature of these symbols underscores the non-linear progression of human understanding, constantly resurfacing, evolving, and assuming new meanings across different epochs.