Zes handen Possibly 1796

Francesco Bartolozzi created this print, Zes handen, in London, in February 1796. Six hands are presented here, each captured in a moment of delicate activity: grasping, holding, and offering. In the late 18th century, as now, hands were not just practical tools; they were also potent symbols of class, labor, and identity. Here, the slender fingers and smooth skin suggest an aristocratic or bourgeois class, one unmarred by manual labor. The presence of flowers in one hand might symbolize the sensitivity and cultivation associated with femininity. It is important to note that, at the time, the ability to draw hands well was a mark of artistic competence, particularly for portraying emotion and character. Bartolozzi, as an accomplished printmaker, would have been acutely aware of the skill and precision required to capture such details. The artwork is a reminder of the ways in which even seemingly simple images can reflect and shape societal values and expectations.