Portret van de schilder Josef Cornelius Correns 1865

This photograph, portraying the painter Josef Cornelius Correns, was captured by Auguste Blanche. Note how the subject stands with arms crossed, a pose that stretches back through centuries, from images of saints holding sacred texts to rulers asserting their dominion. This gesture signifies self-assurance and control. Yet, it's not always a display of power. Consider, in contrast, the 'melancholic' pose found in ancient sculptures, or even in modern portraiture: arms crossed, a sign of introspection, perhaps even hidden vulnerability. Such gestures, these potent "pathos formulas," traverse time. Their meaning changes subtly as they reappear in new contexts, shaped by cultural memory and the ever-churning currents of the collective subconscious. These visual echoes have the power to stir deep emotions, engaging the viewer on a profound level. The pose might convey a sense of resilience, defiance, or concealed emotion depending on the viewer. This interplay of tradition and transformation echoes the non-linear, cyclical nature of symbols, constantly resurfacing, evolving, and accruing new layers of significance across history.