A. Rubinstein c. 1880 - 1920

This photograph by Rijshouwer's Establishment captures Anton Rubinstein, the famed pianist. Consider the power of hands, hidden here yet implied. Throughout art history, from ancient votive offerings to Renaissance portraits, hands symbolize skill, creation, and connection. Think of Michelangelo's "Creation of Adam," where the almost-touching fingers ignite life itself. Rubinstein's hands, though unseen, are the very essence of his being, instruments of his artistry. They evoke the emotional intensity he poured into his music, the passion that resonated with audiences worldwide. The somber formality of his attire, a dark suit and bow tie, speaks to the rigid social expectations of the era, yet cannot mask the fire within. Perhaps it is this tension between outward restraint and inner fervor that made Rubinstein such a captivating performer. These elements form a cyclical expression through time, a testament to how human expression finds new forms, while rooted in shared, primal emotions.