Pardon Giving and Pardon Imploring Hands 1883 - 1884

Editor: We’re looking at Elihu Vedder’s “Pardon Giving and Pardon Imploring Hands,” made around 1883 or 1884 using pencil and ink. The drawing depicts two hands seemingly caught in, or perhaps emerging from, a dark, swirling landscape. It evokes a feeling of being trapped or reaching out for salvation. How do you interpret this work, focusing on its formal elements? Curator: The strength of this piece lies in its linear quality. Note the contrast between the sharp, dark lines defining the background and the delicate, almost ethereal lines that comprise the swirling elements. These lines aren’t merely decorative; they construct a visual tension. Do you notice how the hands themselves are rendered with a remarkable attention to detail, particularly the knuckles and the creases in the skin? Editor: Yes, the details of the hands are striking, especially given the more abstract rendering of everything surrounding them. They seem very lifelike compared to the flowing lines. Curator: Precisely. That tension between representation and abstraction is crucial. The curves add to the composition to represent a tangible form while also evoking an intangible quality of motion. Consider the lines emanating from and enveloping the hands—do these suggest something about their connection or lack thereof? The symbolism is not arbitrarily thrown in, the structural details allow us to decode their significance. Editor: It almost seems like they are struggling, bound by the lines. I suppose this also might point to the relationship between pardon, guilt and responsibility? Curator: Precisely. Vedder isn’t merely representing hands. The very structure invites interpretations surrounding forgiveness, mercy, guilt and entanglement. The way in which he manipulated pencil and ink becomes fundamental to conveying this artwork’s complexities. Editor: Thank you! Looking at it this way definitely makes the drawing more intriguing. Curator: Indeed, it reveals how line can carry emotional and symbolic weight within a composition, creating space for thoughtful viewing and deep contemplation.