Hand gestures and thumbs

Portrait of Napoleon painted by Jacques-Louis David, 1812. We see the French emperor in his favorite position. I wonder if he had a stomach ulcer or did he have a good day?

The human brush consists of 27 small bones connected by a network of ligaments and tendons. Hand joints are driven by dozens of small muscles. Scientists have noticed that the nervous connection between the brain and the brush is much stronger than with any other part of the body. Brush gestures allow you to clearly imagine the emotional state of a person. Since the brushes are usually located in front of the body, it is very easy to notice such signals. Most people have their own “branded” gestures that are used constantly. Suffice it to recall Napoleon, and each of us imagines a man with a hand laid overboard a vest, with an exposed thumb. We believe many of you have not quite a decent explanation for this posture. Some would suggest that the emperor suffered from a stomach ulcer or skin disease. Perhaps at the time it was considered indecent to keep your hands in your pockets. Perhaps Napoleon had a disfigured hand. And what if he was holding the perfumed sachet behind the waistcoat, which he often brought to his nose. Or maybe the artist simply did not know how to paint a brush well. The reality is very simple. In 1738, before the birth of Napoleon, François Nivelon published The Book of Decent Behavior, in which he described the emperor’s favorite position as follows: “The hand folded over the side of a frock coat is the most common pose of a noble person, full of masculinity and at the same time modesty” . When Napoleon saw his portrait, he told the artist: "You understood me, my dear David." So, such a gesture underlines the high position of a person.
Historical books say that such a gesture was not the emperor's favorite pose. He did not even pose for a portrait. The artist painted it from memory and chose a pose himself. But the essence of his chosen hand gesture is absolutely obvious. It is clear that Jacques-Louis David, as an artist, was well aware of the power and meaning of body language.