Helen Keller 1948

This image, titled "Helen Keller," is of unknown date and maker, showing us a close-up of two hands, rendered in silvery tones against a muted blue backdrop. The artist seems to have built up the image through layers of light and shadow, letting the physicality of the hands define the space. It’s interesting how the artist's process reveals itself in the details – you can almost feel the texture of the skin, the delicate web of veins. The light catches on each wrinkle, each bump, each imperfection, emphasizing the age and the labour that these hands have seen. I am particularly drawn to the way the hands cradle an unseen object, maybe the way that Helen Keller understood the world. It reminds me of other artists who were drawn to the beauty and resilience of the human form, like Alice Neel or even Egon Schiele. Ultimately, it is up to us to complete the story.