Hands—Alma Wertheim 1922

This photogravure by Alfred Stieglitz captures the hands of Alma Wertheim in a tender, intimate moment. The clasped hands, a universal symbol of connection, restraint, or perhaps even anxiety, draw us into a narrative beyond the visible. Consider the recurring motif of clasped hands throughout art history. In ancient Roman funerary art, it signified farewell; in medieval Christian art, prayer and devotion. Here, the hands evoke a sense of introspection. The gesture is reminiscent of the way figures are depicted in Renaissance portraits, such as Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa, where hands contribute to the sitter's psychological depth. Stieglitz’s choice to focus on this particular detail suggests a deeper exploration of human emotion and the silent language of the body. It reflects our innate capacity to project our emotions onto others, engaging us in a timeless dialogue of human experience.