Figuur met de handen op elkaar 1881 - 1883

This sketch by George Hendrik Breitner captures a figure with hands clasped together, a gesture laden with history and meaning. The joining of hands—seen here, and echoed across centuries in devotional images—has long symbolized prayer, supplication, or deep contemplation. We see echoes of this motif in medieval depictions of praying saints, their interlocked fingers reaching towards the divine. Consider, too, how this gesture reappears in secular contexts, signifying a moment of reflection or introspection. Yet, its roots in religious expression cannot be ignored. The act of clasping hands is also a psychological manifestation of inner turmoil. This simple gesture contains a world of meaning, surfacing across time and cultures, a testament to the enduring power of visual symbols that speak to our collective memory.