Gesture Collection

Winston Churchill making his famous V for Victory sign, 1942. A typical gesture of defiance from Britains wartime Prime Minister. (Colorised black and white print)

Daniel Mendoza, engraved by Henry Kinsbury, 1789 (litho)
XJF377272 Daniel Mendoza, engraved by Henry Kinsbury, 1789 (litho) by Robineau, Charles Jean (d.c.1787) (after); Private Collection; (add.info)

THE HONEYMOONERS, c1955. Left to right: Cast members Jackie Gleason, Audrey Meadows, Art Carney, and Joyce Randolph in a publicity photograph for the television series The Honeymooners, c1955

Et in Arcadia Ego, c1650. Artist: Nicolas Poussin
Et in Arcadia Ego, c1650. The painting, also known as The Arcadian Shepherds, shows a Greek mythological scene in which a group of shepherds inspects an inscribed coffin

Fidel Castro - Speech
FIDEL CASTRO - President of Cuba giving a speech in Havana in August 1993. *UNAVAILABLE FOR USE IN ASIA AT PRESENT*

George Whitefield preaching at Moorfields Fair, 1742
George Whitefield(1714-1770), nonconformist preacher, depicted preaching under difficult circumstances at Moorfields Fair on Whit Monday, 1742. 1742

Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers - still from the Radio Picture Ltd production Shall We Dance?

Zeus / Jupiter
Zeus (Jupiter) and Hera (Juno) sit with his eagle, visited by Poseidon (Neptune) Hermes (Mercury) and his son (by Alkmene, not Hera, hence her gesture) Herakles

Christ Pantocrator (encaustic on panel)
876969 Christ Pantocrator (encaustic on panel) by Byzantine School, (6th century); Monastery of Saint Catherine, Mount Sinai, Egypt; Photo eZev Radovan; out of copyright

Statue of the Hindu goddess Durga, Goverdan, Uttar Pradesh, India, Asia

Buddha statue (1790), Japanese Tea Gardens, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California, USA

A signed photograph of Sigmund Freud, c. 1921 (sepia photo)
985676 A signed photograph of Sigmund Freud, c.1921 (sepia photo) by Halberstadt, Max (1882-1940); 35.6x25.7 cm; Private Collection; (add.info)

Royal Air Force Display Poster, Hendon, showing a pilot in flying gear, gesturing towards three biplanes in flight. 1934

Jem Mace, Boxer
" Gypsy" Jem Mace (1831 - 1910), English champion and known as the " Father of Modern Boxing"

Figurines of Chairman Mao at antiques shop, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong, China, Asia

Old people playing bowls at Penzance in West Cornwall, UK
Ashley Cooper / SpecialistStock

Tennis Chivalry 1930S
A chivalrous gentleman tennis player bows as he shakes the hand of his attractive female opponent over the net!

Womens Rights / Personali
CHRISTABEL PANKHURST Womens rights advocate & Suffragette. Daughter of Emiline Pankhurst

Jesus of Nazareth
JESUS OF NAZARETH with his right hand raised in a blessing gesture

Caesar Releases Domitius
Julius Caesar captures his opponent Domitius, but diplomatically releases him as a gesture of conciliation

Mr Pastry, aka Richard Hearne, with lion
Mr Pastry, aka the comic actor Richard Hearne (1908-1979), with a lion. Date: circa 1960s

Picture No. 11092755
Dog Pug puppy paws raised Date:

Christ as Salvator Mundi
FIA5385563 Christ as Salvator Mundi by Vinci, Leonardo da (1452-1519); Private Collection; (add.info.: eRobert Simon Fine Art); Photo eFine Art Images; Italian, out of copyright

Brotherly Affection; Affetto fraterno, c. 1900 (oil on canvas)
1197530 Brotherly Affection; Affetto fraterno, c. 1900 (oil on canvas) by Chierici, Gaetano (1838-1920); 33x42 cm; Private Collection; Photo eChristies Images; Italian, out of copyright

Music cover, On the Good Ship Lollipop, Shirley Temple
Music cover, On the Good Ship Lollipop, words and music by Sidney Clare and Richard A Whiting, as sung by Shirley Temple in the film Bright Eyes. 1934

1965 24 Hours of Le Mans
CIRCUIT DE LA SARTHE, FRANCE - JUNE 20: Jackie Stewart gives the thumbs up to teammate Graham Hill who replies with a two finger salute

Statue depicting San Gennaro (St. Januarius), by Giuliano Finelli, in the Cappella di San Gennaro, in the cathedral of Naples Naples Cathedral, Cappella di San Gennaro Statue Baroque

WWI Poster, The Recruiting Sergeant
WWI Parliamentary Recruiting Committee Poster, The Recruiting Sergeant, shown beckoning for men to join him. Date: 1915

Vintage image of boy raising hand in classroom

Gabriele d Annunzio in Fiume (now Rijeka, Croatia)
Gabriele d Annunzio (1863-1938) in Fiume (now Rijeka, Croatia), at the time of its occupation (under his leadership) by Italian nationalists

Queen Elizabeth II North America visit - with Nixon, 1957
The royal visit to North America, 1957. Vice president Nixon points out the surrounding landmarks on the steps of the Capitol to Queen Elizabeth II, who looks in the opposite direction. Mrs

Nikolay Urvantsev, Soviet geologist
Nikolay Nikolayevich Urvantsev (1893-1985), Soviet geologist, speaking in public at his 80th birthday celebration. Urvantsev is best known for his exploration of northern Siberia and the Arctic

MONROE & DIMAGGIO, c1954. Marilyn Monroe and her husband Joe DiMaggio, waving to a crowd. Photograph, c1954

The Jewel Box, (pencil and watercolour on paper)
823500 The Jewel Box, (pencil and watercolour on paper) by Simonetti, Ettore (19th century); 75.5x53.3 cm; Private Collection; (add.info.: The Jewel Box. Ettore Simonetti (1857-1909)

The Fortune Teller, 1899 (oil on canvas)
989688 The Fortune Teller, 1899 (oil on canvas) by Wontner, William Clark (1857-1930); 81.9x67.9 cm; Private Collection; (add.info.: The Fortune Teller. William Clarke Wontner (1857-1930)

Punk rock group "Sex Pistols"manager Malcolm McLaren
Punk rock group " Sex Pistols" manager Malcolm McLaren and friend designer Viviane Westwood seen here outside Bow Street Magistrate Court, after being remanded on bail for fighting

Seamen salute the resting place of USS Lexington
July 26, 2007 - Seamen salute as USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63) passes the final resting place of USS Lexington (CV-2). USS Kitty Hawk was passing the spot where USS Lexington sunk during the Battle of

Saint Luke healing the hydropic child, 17th century (painting)
7129357 Saint Luke healing the hydropic child, 17th century (painting) by Lanfranco, Giovanni (1582-1647); Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Antica, Rome

Advertising poster for the aperitif Diablerets (colour lithograph)
1770036 Advertising poster for the aperitif Diablerets (colour lithograph) by D Ylen, Jean (1866-1938); 128x90 cm; Private Collection; (add.info.: Advertising poster for the aperitif Diablerets)

A shooter signals the launch of an F / A-18 Super Hornet
Persian Gulf, February 7, 2008 - A shooter on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman, gives the signal for an F/A-18E Super Hornet to launch off ship

(1894-1971). Soviet politician. Photographed c1960
NIKITA KHRUSHCHEV (1894-1971). Soviet politician. Photographed c1960

NATIVE AMERICANS: SIGN LANGUAGE. The Shoshone chief Tendoy using signs to communicate with Huerito, an Apache chief, at Washington, D.C

Two Women Kiss
Two women kiss 1904

FOOTBALL GAME, 1965. Defensive tackle Roger Brown of the Detroit Lions exults after sacking quarterback Bart Starr of the Green Bay Packers (kneeling) in the end zone for a safety

Standing Buddha statue, Aukana, near Sigiriya, Sri Lanka, Asia

Dancers, Bali, Indonesia, Southeast Asia, Asia

Summer, 1929 (oil on canvas)
1195333 Summer, 1929 (oil on canvas) by Benigni, Leon (1892-1948); 59.1 x 43.8 cm; Private Collection; Photo © Christies Images

Portrait of Captain Marshall Roberts, Master of the Fox Hounds, 1926 (oil on canvas)
657942 Portrait of Captain Marshall Roberts, Master of the Fox Hounds, 1926 (oil on canvas) by Orpen, William (1878-1931); 124.5x90.2 cm; Private Collection; (add.info)

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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.