Sketch of head and studies of hands of Gniewosz of Dalewice; studies of Jagiełło’s hands for the painting ‘Queen Jadwiga’s Oath’ 1867

Józef Simmler created this study of a head and hands with pencil on paper. The composition is an exploration of form and gesture, focusing on the hands and head of Gniewosz of Dalewice. The pale lines against the brown paper give it a strong sense of depth. Simmler’s work is rooted in close observation, recording the nuances of human anatomy and expression. The sketches of hands, particularly, convey tension and emotion through their clenched and grasping forms, which is heightened by the lack of background detail. This focus on specific body parts isolates them, turning them into powerful carriers of meaning. The image exists within a broader cultural and philosophical discourse about realism and representation. Simmler meticulously studies each part of the body. The sketches are studies, exercises in understanding and translating the human form onto paper. Ultimately, the artwork remains open to ongoing interpretations, inviting us to see the body as a site of meaning.