Portret van een oude vrouw 1807

This is Giuseppe Longhi's etching of an old woman, made in 1807. Notice how the shawl drapes around her neck, a symbol of modesty and mourning in various cultures. Consider the *ricordo* of this motif—from the veils of Renaissance Madonnas to the shawls worn by widows in mourning, the act of draping fabric around the head and shoulders is a potent gesture. It reappears across time, laden with different cultural and psychological weights. In classical antiquity, draped figures often symbolized piety and virtue. But the simple act of covering oneself can be loaded with an emotional charge, signifying protection, concealment, or even grief. Perhaps on a subconscious level, this image taps into our collective memory, evoking feelings of empathy and reverence. The image is a reminder of how symbols carry echoes of the past. They continually resurface and evolve, creating a powerful connection between generations.