Study of 2 Hands 

Jean-Baptiste Greuze made this study of two hands in red chalk sometime in the 18th century. The image invites consideration of the social and cultural significance of the hand within French society at that time. The delicate rendering of the hands could symbolize labor and craft, particularly within the context of the Enlightenment's emphasis on skill and industry. But it could also point to the performative gestures of theatre, a popular entertainment in the period. Greuze was interested in the artifice of performance and the way people used gestures to communicate emotion. To better understand this drawing, one might consult archives and historical documents related to French social history, theatre, and the artistic practices of the time. Such resources provide context to explore the intricate ways in which art mirrors and shapes society.