Hand 1710 - 1772

Petrus Johannes van Reysschoot created this drawing of a hand with red chalk on paper, sometime in the 18th century. The drawing appears to be a quick study, and it’s interesting to consider why the artist chose this particular medium. Chalk is a relatively soft material, allowing for quick application of tone and texture. You can see how the artist has used it to create depth, using hatching to build up areas of shadow and volume. The red hue creates warmth and gives a sense of life to the hand. But most of all, I think that chalk lends itself to the depiction of skin. Just as in nature, this drawing emerges from the earth – the material and the subject are wonderfully aligned. It reminds us that art, in the end, always has a material basis, no matter how seemingly ethereal or intangible its subject.