Onderarm en handen 1710 - 1772

This study of an arm and hands was drawn by Petrus Johannes van Reysschoot in the 18th century. The hand, an instrument of action and expression, appears frequently throughout art history, often laden with symbolic weight. Think of the hand of God reaching down to Adam in Michelangelo's fresco, a gesture of creation and the transmission of divine spirit. Or consider the many depictions of Christ's wounded hands, symbols of sacrifice and redemption. Here, the open hand, with its slightly extended fingers, might evoke a sense of offering, of giving. Yet, such gestures are never fixed. The meaning of an outstretched hand can shift from generosity to supplication, from blessing to accusation, depending on context and culture. This very ambiguity taps into our collective memory, resonating on a subconscious level. What do *you* feel when contemplating this image? Do you see an invitation, a plea, or something else entirely? The power of this study lies in its ability to stir deep-seated emotional and psychological responses, echoing through the ages.