Three Hands 1884

Vincent van Gogh created this drawing of three hands, using pencil and ink, in the Netherlands at some point during his career. The image is a study of hands in different positions. One hand appears to be open and relaxed, another is clenched in a fist, and the third seems to be in the process of grasping an object. Van Gogh’s art often depicted laborers and the working class, and hands as tools for labor can be seen as a symbol of human activity and productivity. During the 19th century, academic training emphasized the study of anatomy as a foundation for figurative art. Drawings like this would have been typical exercises. In van Gogh’s case, however, art historians have noted that his drawings of hands may also reflect his own struggles with physical and mental labor, and the challenges he faced in mastering his craft. To understand this work better, we can consult van Gogh’s letters and the writings of his contemporaries to understand better the artistic conventions, social conditions and institutional histories that shaped his art.