Handen en nagels c. 1897 - 1910

Willem Witsen made this drawing titled 'Hands and Nails' using pencil on paper. This artwork immediately draws our attention to the human form and the act of creation through the symbolic portrayal of hands. Witsen’s choice of pencil on paper creates a direct, almost intimate connection with the subject. The simplicity of the materials shifts the emphasis towards the skill and vision of the artist. We see lines, hatching, and subtle tonal variations capturing the texture and form of the hands. It is likely the sketch was drawn from life, given the individual character of the hands and nails depicted. The presence of lines on the palms could be interpreted in terms of the tradition of palmistry, reflecting a cultural interest in revealing fate and character through the body. In many ways, the drawing collapses the distance between art and everyday life. It also acknowledges the role of labor and the human touch in the act of creation, and ultimately invites us to consider the stories that our own hands might tell.