Dimensions: 1 9/16 x 15/16 in. (3.9 x 2.4 cm) (image)2 5/16 x 1 9/16 in. (5.9 x 4 cm) (sheet)
Copyright: Public Domain
Jean-Pierre Norblin de la Gourdaine etched this small print, Monk in Prayer, depicting a kneeling monk with hands raised to the heavens. The gesture of raised hands is an ancient symbol of supplication, seen across cultures from antiquity onward. Think of the orant figures in early Christian catacombs, their arms outstretched in prayer. The yearning for connection with the divine transcends time. The monk’s posture, combined with the book at his side, evokes a sense of devotion and scholarly pursuit, typical of monastic life. This scene channels the viewer’s subconscious toward a deep empathy for the monk’s spiritual quest. Consider how this posture has echoed through history, appearing in various religious contexts. The inherent human desire to transcend our earthly bounds finds expression in this simple, yet profoundly moving, gesture. Thus, the image of a figure in prayer, with arms raised, is not merely a depiction but a recurring motif in the human drama, always seeking to bridge the gap between the self and the infinite.
Comments
Jean-Pierre Norblin de la Gourdaine was a French painter and printmaker active in Poland in the late 18th century. Norblin's charming miniature etchings, representing mostly male heads, street sellers, and vagabonds, reflect both in subject and technique the profound influence of Rembrandt's prints. Norblin was also drawn to Polish subjects, capturing the unfamiliar, exotic world around him in his depictions of men with colossal fur hats and curled moustaches, Cossacks, and Polish historical figures.
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