A Left Hand Holding a Staff and a Right Hand Holding a Glove and Riding Crop(?) 

Editor: This is a pencil drawing by Paul Meyerheim titled "A Left Hand Holding a Staff and a Right Hand Holding a Glove and Riding Crop(?)." The focus on hands makes me think about the importance of skilled labor and craftsmanship, but I’m not sure how to interpret this. What stands out to you? Curator: Immediately, I’m drawn to the stark contrast in materials. The bare hand gripping the staff versus the gloved hand wielding what appears to be a riding crop. Consider the implications here – the exposed hand suggests labor, a direct connection to the tool, while the gloved hand implies a degree of separation, perhaps even authority. Editor: So, the glove isn’t just practical, it's symbolic? Like a visual representation of social class and the tools they use? Curator: Precisely. Think about the time and the context of artistic production. The pencil itself becomes a tool of representation, mediating the artist’s idea of labor. The type of paper and quality of the graphite become critical choices. Editor: That's fascinating! I hadn't considered the choice of drawing materials as significant in reflecting those social structures. It's easy to overlook the material history embedded within what seems like a simple study of hands. Curator: These are more than just studies. They offer insight into the artist’s view on labor, control, and the social order, presented through a specific lens of material choices and process. What began as mere pencil strokes becomes a profound statement about the world. Editor: I now see that everything from the graphite used to render the figures, to what is actually depicted relates back to labor and social structures. Thanks for shining a new light on materiality for me!