Studies van een hand 1870 - 1931

This is a hand study by Willem Bastiaan Tholen. The hand, sketched in pencil, holds a small tablet, a signifier of knowledge, study, and perhaps, revelation. Consider the motif of the hand throughout history. The hand is a primal tool, a symbol of action, creation, and connection. Think of Michelangelo's "Creation of Adam" where the almost-touching hands signify the spark of life. Here, Tholen’s hand holds a tablet, but compare it to the hands of philosophers or prophets holding scrolls or books in Renaissance paintings. The tablet suggests a more modern form of wisdom, yet the gesture still carries the weight of tradition and learning. The simple act of holding implies a deeper connection to knowledge, a link that transcends time. This motif, passed down through the ages, evolves and adapts. It resurfaces, reminding us of our constant quest for understanding, and engaging our collective memory.