Three Studies of Hands Clasped in Prayer 

Jacopo Guarana made these three studies of hands clasped in prayer using chalk on paper, sometime in the 18th century. The artist's hand is evident in the smudged texture of the chalk, and the loose drawing style. The soft grey of the material is skillfully used to create subtle modulations of light and shadow, giving the hands volume and presence. The artist almost certainly made this drawing as preparation for a larger painting, perhaps an altarpiece, and it shows the importance of skilled draftsmanship within the workshop system. Such drawings were vital to the division of labor in studios, where specialization was essential for efficiency. Here, the religious subject matter is at odds with the drawing's function as a mere tool for production. Ultimately, appreciation of materials and making can provide fresh insights into traditional artistic hierarchies, blurring the lines between fine art and craft.