Hand uit een mouw 1710 - 1772

Petrus Johannes van Reysschoot rendered this drawing of a hand emerging from a sleeve with sanguine chalk. The hand, an ancient symbol of power, skill, and benediction, dominates the composition. Consider the "Manus Dei," the Hand of God, prevalent in early Christian art, often depicted reaching down from the heavens, bestowing blessings, or intervening in human affairs. In ancient Roman art, a similar gesture conveyed authority and imperial decree. But here, the hand’s appearance is more ambiguous, less about divine action, and more about human expression. The slight tension in the fingers, the way the fabric gathers, hint at an underlying narrative or emotion. This recalls the Renaissance masters’ ability to infuse hands with profound psychological depth, consider Leonardo’s "Last Supper," where each hand tells a story of its own. Our collective memory associates hands with action, intent, and connection. Notice how the drawing engages our subconscious, prompting us to ponder the unseen figure, the untold story, and the enduring power of a simple gesture across centuries.