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Gesture Collection (#6)

"Gestures: A Window into History and Culture" From Winston Churchill's iconic V for Victory sign to Fidel Castro's impassioned speeches

Background imageGesture Collection: Isadora Duncan dancers, between 1915 and 1923. Creator: Arnold Genthe

Isadora Duncan dancers, between 1915 and 1923. Creator: Arnold Genthe
Isadora Duncan dancers, between 1915 and 1923

Background imageGesture Collection: Isadora Duncan dancers, between 1915 and 1923. Creator: Arnold Genthe

Isadora Duncan dancers, between 1915 and 1923. Creator: Arnold Genthe
Isadora Duncan dancers, between 1915 and 1923

Background imageGesture Collection: Desha, 1921 July 30. Creator: Arnold Genthe

Desha, 1921 July 30. Creator: Arnold Genthe
Desha, 1921 July 30

Background imageGesture Collection: 'Urith: A Tale of Dartmoor', By S. Baring Gould, M. A.; ' Thou art too free with your kisses

"Urith: A Tale of Dartmoor", By S. Baring Gould, M. A.; " Thou art too free with your kisses, too lavish in thy love, to please me", 1890. From "The Graphic

Background imageGesture Collection: 'Urith: A Tale of Dartmoor', By S. Baring Gould, M. A.; 'I am come with five hundred guineas in go

"Urith: A Tale of Dartmoor", By S. Baring Gould, M. A.; "I am come with five hundred guineas in gold", 1890. From "The Graphic

Background imageGesture Collection: Study of a Head Known as 'Le Buveur' after Franz Hals, 1890. Creator: Unknown

Study of a Head Known as "Le Buveur" after Franz Hals, 1890. Creator: Unknown
Study of a Head Known as "Le Buveur" after Franz Hals, 1890. From "The Graphic. An Illustrated Weekly Newspaper", Volume 42. July to December, 1890

Background imageGesture Collection: 'Urith: A Tale of Dartmoor', By S. Baring Gould, M. A.; ' Come, lad, pull off my boots.', 1890

"Urith: A Tale of Dartmoor", By S. Baring Gould, M. A.; " Come, lad, pull off my boots.", 1890. From "The Graphic. An Illustrated Weekly Newspaper", Volume 42

Background imageGesture Collection: Female Nude with a Platter, 1898. Creator: Karel Vitezslav Masek

Female Nude with a Platter, 1898. Creator: Karel Vitezslav Masek
Female Nude with a Platter, 1898

Background imageGesture Collection: Female Nude with Outstretched Arm, 1898. Creator: Karel Vitezslav Masek

Female Nude with Outstretched Arm, 1898. Creator: Karel Vitezslav Masek
Female Nude with Outstretched Arm, 1898

Background imageGesture Collection: Female Nude with Outstretched Arms, 1896. Creator: Karel Vitezslav Masek

Female Nude with Outstretched Arms, 1896. Creator: Karel Vitezslav Masek
Female Nude with Outstretched Arms, 1896

Background imageGesture Collection: Elsie Dufour dancer, between 1918 and 1920? Creator: Arnold Genthe

Elsie Dufour dancer, between 1918 and 1920? Creator: Arnold Genthe
Elsie Dufour dancer, between 1918 and 1920?

Background imageGesture Collection: Study for 'A Garden', c. 1869. Creator: Albert Joseph Moore

Study for "A Garden", c. 1869. Creator: Albert Joseph Moore
Study for "A Garden", c. 1869

Background imageGesture Collection: Our Souls, in Languorous Gestures, plate nine from Love, 1898, published 1899

Our Souls, in Languorous Gestures, plate nine from Love, 1898, published 1899. Creator: Maurice Denis
Our Souls, in Languorous Gestures, plate nine from Love, 1898, published 1899

Background imageGesture Collection: Design: Academic Figure, from Encyclopédie, 1762/77. Creator: A. J. Defehrt

Design: Academic Figure, from Encyclopédie, 1762/77. Creator: A. J. Defehrt
Design: Academic Figure, from Encyclopedie, 1762/77

Background imageGesture Collection: Anastasia Martha Tiahahu Taroreh

Anastasia Martha Tiahahu Taroreh
Hari Sulistiawan

Background imageGesture Collection: World Championship for Makes 1972: Monza 1000 kms

World Championship for Makes 1972: Monza 1000 kms
AUTODROMO NAZIONALE MONZA, ITALY - APRIL 25: Ronnie Peterson / Tim Schenken, Spa Ferrari SEFAC, Ferrari 312 PB during the Monza 1000 kms at Autodromo Nazionale Monza on April 25

Background imageGesture Collection: Lord Shiva and Parvati on Mount Kailash (oil on canvas)

Lord Shiva and Parvati on Mount Kailash (oil on canvas)
1196628 Lord Shiva and Parvati on Mount Kailash (oil on canvas) by Dhurandhar, Mahadev Vishvanath (1867-1944); 119.4x78.8 cm; Private Collection; (add.info.: Dhurandhar)

Background imageGesture Collection: A Lady Playing the Piano in an Interior, (oil on canvas)

A Lady Playing the Piano in an Interior, (oil on canvas)
651510 A Lady Playing the Piano in an Interior, (oil on canvas) by Madrazo y Garreta, Raimundo de (1841-1920); Private Collection; (add.info.: A Lady Playing the Piano in an Interior)

Background imageGesture Collection: Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali) eating stake at Isows restaurant in Soho Brewer Street London

Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali) eating stake at Isows restaurant in Soho Brewer Street London. 5th June 1963

Background imageGesture Collection: Sexy Teacher

Sexy Teacher

Background imageGesture Collection: Socrates and Alcibiades at Aspasia, 1801. Artist: Nicolas Andre Monsiau

Socrates and Alcibiades at Aspasia, 1801. Artist: Nicolas Andre Monsiau
Socrates and Alcibiades at Aspasia, 1801. Monsiaux, Nicolas Andre (1754-1837). Found in the collection of the State A. Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts, Moscow

Background imageGesture Collection: Boyarynya Morozova, 1887. Artist: Vasily Surikov

Boyarynya Morozova, 1887. Artist: Vasily Surikov
Boyarynya Morozova, 1887. Feodosia Morozova (1632-1675) was one of the leading figures of the Old Believer movement that split from the Russian Orthodox Church after 1666-1667 in protest at religious

Background imageGesture Collection: The statue of Jesus Christ at the Resurrection of our Lord parish church is silhouetted

The statue of Jesus Christ at the Resurrection of our Lord parish church is silhouetted during sunrise in Paranaque city, Metro Manila February 23, 2010

Background imageGesture Collection: A man takes out his hand throughout the waterfall at Muhan Pokhari in Bhaktapur

A man takes out his hand throughout the waterfall at Muhan Pokhari in Bhaktapur, Nepal September 21, 2019. REUTERS/Monika Deupala

Background imageGesture Collection: Picture No. 11769167

Picture No. 11769167
Polar Bear young bear waving Digital Manipulation: created background and falling snow Date:

Background imageGesture Collection: Formula 1 1972: United States GP

Formula 1 1972: United States GP
WATKINS GLEN INTERNATIONAL, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA - OCTOBER 08: Jackie Stewart, Tyrrell 005 Ford during the United States GP at Watkins Glen International on Sunday October 08

Background imageGesture Collection: 2006 San Marino GP

2006 San Marino GP
IMOLA, ITALY - APRIL 23: Michael Schumacher, Ferrari 248 F1 celebrates victory ahead of Fernando Alonso, Renault R26 during the San Marino GP at Imola on April 23, 2006 in Imola, Italy

Background imageGesture Collection: BSCC 1985: Round 10 Brands Hatch

BSCC 1985: Round 10 Brands Hatch
BRANDS HATCH, UNITED KINGDOM - AUGUST 26: Tom Walkinshaw waves to the fans from his Rover SD1 during the Round 10 Brands Hatch at Brands Hatch on August 26, 1985 in Brands Hatch, United Kingdom

Background imageGesture Collection: Close-up of a fountain in Loreto

Close-up of a fountain in Loreto Loreto Fountain High Renaissance, Renaissance, Renaissance-Baroque styles and periods, Europe, First and Second Millennium A.D.. Date of Photograph:1955 ca

Background imageGesture Collection: Monument to the partisans. Work by Piero Bottoni located in the cemetery of the Certosa Monastery

Monument to the partisans. Work by Piero Bottoni located in the cemetery of the Certosa Monastery in Bologna Bologna Certosa, cemetery Low Relief, Basrelief Nineteenth-Twenty century

Background imageGesture Collection: A little girl playing

A little girl playing Italy. Date of Photograph:1950-1960

Background imageGesture Collection: The cast of the Gene Kelly movie, 'On the Town, ' 1949, with Frank Sinatra, Gene Kelly

The cast of the Gene Kelly movie, "On the Town, " 1949, with Frank Sinatra, Gene Kelly
3567161 The cast of the Gene Kelly movie, "On the Town, " 1949, with Frank Sinatra, Gene Kelly, Betty Garret and Ann Miller by Unknown photographer

Background imageGesture Collection: The maiden voyage of a ship in the port of Livorno

The maiden voyage of a ship in the port of Livorno Livorno Port. Date of Photograph:1950 ca

Background imageGesture Collection: Robert, Richard, Rat, Rauntling, Watch, Laughter, Fox, Grapes

Robert, Richard, Rat, Rauntling, Watch, Laughter, Fox, Grapes, page 31 - Alphabet by Mademoiselle Lili, by L
DUV4224184 Robert, Richard, Rat, Rauntling, Watch, Laughter, Fox, Grapes, page 31 - Alphabet by Mademoiselle Lili, by L. Froelich and by a dad (Hetzel himself)

Background imageGesture Collection: Illustration for 'Alphabet of good examples', c.1890 (engraving)

Illustration for "Alphabet of good examples", c.1890 (engraving)
DUV4212008 Illustration for "Alphabet of good examples", c.1890 (engraving) by Gray, Henri (Boulanger) (1858-1924); 18.5x16.2 cm; Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageGesture Collection: Sancho Panza drinks with other drinkers, 1869 (engraving)

Sancho Panza drinks with other drinkers, 1869 (engraving)
8677951 Sancho Panza drinks with other drinkers, 1869 (engraving) by Dore, Gustave (1832-83); Private Collection; (add.info.: Sancho Panza (Panca) drinks wine with 6 other drinkers

Background imageGesture Collection: Album 'Viaggi Italadria- Rimini': trip to San Marino

Album "Viaggi Italadria- Rimini": trip to San Marino
3563256 Album "Viaggi Italadria- Rimini": trip to San Marino by Unknown photographer, (20th century); (add.info.: Piazza della Liberta, San Marino 1950-1960 Date of Artwork: 1876)

Background imageGesture Collection: North door (Almond Door) 0f the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence

North door (Almond Door) 0f the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence Florence High Relief Early Renaissance, Renaissance, Renaissance-Baroque styles and periods, Europe

Background imageGesture Collection: Peasant girl from the Lazio region

Peasant girl from the Lazio region Lazio. Date of Photograph:1875 ca

Background imageGesture Collection: The president of the executive committee of the Soviet citizens deputies of the people Valentin

The president of the executive committee of the Soviet citizens deputies of the people Valentin Sgursky discusses urbanistic problems concerning the city of Kiev in the Ukraine Ukraine Kiev

Background imageGesture Collection: Portrait of Anthony Newley during the filming of 'Sweet November'

Portrait of Anthony Newley during the filming of "Sweet November" United States. Date of Photograph:1968

Background imageGesture Collection: Portrait of Rex Harrison during the filming of 'My Fair Lady'

Portrait of Rex Harrison during the filming of "My Fair Lady" United States. Date of Photograph:1964

Background imageGesture Collection: 'Rugby'

"Rugby" Italy. Date of Photograph:1982

Background imageGesture Collection: 'Today's children, tomorrow's men'. Portrait of a boy crying during a haircut

"Today's children, tomorrow's men". Portrait of a boy crying during a haircut Italy. Date of Photograph:1980 ca

Background imageGesture Collection: Portrait of a young Chinese man eating rice

Portrait of a young Chinese man eating rice China Shanghai. Date of Photograph:1900 ca

Background imageGesture Collection: Portrait of a boy with a musical instrument

Portrait of a boy with a musical instrument Germany. Date of Photograph:1904

Background imageGesture Collection: Portrait of a boy holding a guitar

Portrait of a boy holding a guitar Germany. Date of Photograph:1904




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"Gestures: A Window into History and Culture" From Winston Churchill's iconic V for Victory sign to Fidel Castro's impassioned speeches, gestures have long played a significant role in shaping our world. They convey emotions, beliefs, and aspirations that transcend language barriers. In 1942, as the world was engulfed in war, Churchill's defiant gesture became a symbol of hope and resilience. In the realm of entertainment, Jackie Gleason and his fellow cast members from The Honeymooners immortalized their camaraderie through gestures captured in publicity photographs. These gestures spoke volumes about friendship and laughter shared on screen during the 1950s. Gestures also hold historical significance beyond politics and entertainment. Daniel Mendoza's lithograph showcases his boxing prowess while Sigmund Freud's signed photograph captures the enigmatic presence of one of psychology's greatest minds. Artistic expressions often find solace in gestures too. From Christ Pantocrator’s serene encaustic gaze to Nicolas Poussin’s poignant Et in Arcadia Ego painting, these works evoke deep contemplation through subtle hand movements. Religion is replete with meaningful gestures as well. George Whitefield passionately preaching at Moorfields Fair or Fred Astaire gracefully dancing alongside Ginger Rogers demonstrate how body language can inspire faith or captivate audiences with its elegance. Beyond Western culture lies an array of diverse traditions represented by Zeus/Jupiter statues or Hindu goddess Durga sculptures adorning temples across India. Each gesture carries profound spiritual meaning within its cultural context. Lastly, Buddha’s statue from 1790 reminds us of enlightenment achieved through peaceful meditation—a timeless gesture that continues to resonate today. These glimpses into history remind us that they are not mere physical actions but powerful conduits for human expression—bridging gaps between cultures, transcending time itself—and reminding us all that sometimes words are simply not enough to convey what our hearts truly feel.