“Study of Hands” is an artwork by Albrecht Dürer, dated to 1506. It is created using pen and ink on paper and hails from the Northern Renaissance period. The piece is categorized as a sketch and study, and as of my last update, it resides within a private collection.
The artwork itself features two hands, one holding a book while the other presses down on the other side of the book or perhaps turns a page. The attention to detail is meticulous, with the tendons, fingernails, and texture of the skin depicted with high realism—a characteristic of Dürer’s work. The shadowing and use of light and dark offer a three-dimensional effect, emphasizing the tactile nature of the interaction with the book. The hands are rendered in such a life-like manner that they seem almost to protrude from the paper. Dürer’s skill in anatomical studies and commitment to naturalism is evident in this sketch. The positioning of the hands suggests a sense of gentle motion and touch.
