Hands of an Apostle

Religion and Spirituality

Hands of an Apostle

by Albrecht Durer, 1508

Describe:

Analyze:

Interpret:

-two wrinkled hands lightly touching together in prayer
-hands not straight; crooked and bent
-prominent veins
-looks very realistic, but simplistic
-sleeve cuffs are folded and wrinkled
-actual and implied lines
-fine lines create texture and details on hands
-primarily grey, also white and black

-attention solely on hands
-grey negative space
-unity in color
-fine lines of hand and cuffs in contrast with smooth background
-hands point diagonally up to the left
-edges of painting faintly darker

This work of art represents, I believe, the timeless aspect of an apostle. The hands themselves as well as the cuffs give no inclination as to the time period. The person whose hands are depicted is absent from the picture, there is just a continuous grey. Therefore, the subject could be either a man of a woman. The simplicity is beautiful. The crooked, wrinkled, and veiny hands look as if they have been used very rigorously, which implies the often physically tiring work apostles take part in.