Left Hand of Moses 1725 - 1730

Michelangelo made this drawing of the Left Hand of Moses with pen and brown ink, here at the Art Institute of Chicago. The drawing showcases Michelangelo’s mastery of anatomical form through the singular study of Moses’ hand. The composition is dominated by the hand, rendered in meticulous detail with dense, cross-hatched lines that define its volume and texture. Notice the tension in the fingers, which grasp at Moses' flowing beard. The use of chiaroscuro, with darker shading on the underside of the hand, enhances its three-dimensionality, creating a palpable sense of weight and presence. Michelangelo’s intense focus on the hand as a subject underscores its symbolic importance. In Renaissance art, hands often signify power, creation, and divine intervention. The hand, therefore, becomes a powerful symbol of human capacity and spiritual connection, inviting contemplation on the relationship between the physical and the divine. This close attention to form serves not only an aesthetic purpose but also deepens the artwork's symbolic resonance, engaging viewers in a dialogue about meaning and interpretation.