Unity 1913

Ferdinand Hodler created this artwork, titled Unity, and it shows a large group of people with their arms raised, almost as if in a collective trance. This gesture of raised arms, seen here, has ancient roots. Think back to the Roman era: victors saluted in triumph. Later, medieval religious art repurposed it to symbolize prayer and devotion. But what happens when it moves beyond religious settings? Here, Hodler seems to suggest a new kind of spiritual experience, but one rooted in the power of community. The raised arms remind us of our innate longing for connection. It reflects our collective memory—echoes of past rituals and expressions of unity. It’s fascinating how a simple gesture can carry such a powerful, emotional charge, engaging us on a primal level. This image represents the cyclical return and transformation of symbols, echoing through time and evolving to express new collective aspirations.