Study of Hands 1506

Albrecht Durer rendered this drawing, known as the Study of Hands, using pen and ink on paper around 1506. It’s a preparatory sketch, one of many, for a painted altarpiece. Made in Germany, this drawing exemplifies the period's changing status of artists and the role of craft. During the Renaissance, artists sought higher social standing. Durer's detailed rendering elevates draftsmanship from mere preparation to an esteemed skill, worthy of display. The hands, possibly of an apostle, are not just functional; they are expressive and spiritual. Durer’s technical skill embodies a cultural shift where art began to be valued for intellectual and aesthetic qualities. To understand this piece, one might delve into the social and economic structures of Nuremberg, where Durer lived, examining the rise of the merchant class and its patronage of the arts. It would also be useful to consider the writings of art theorists of the time, like Alberti, to understand the changing role of the artist in society.