Why is Dürer's "Praying Hands" called a symbol of piety and divine mercy

2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55

The famous painting "Praying Hands" by Albrecht Durer, painted for the altar, has come down to us in the form of a preparatory drawing on blue-gray paper. The popularity of this image is impressive for its religious overtones and artistic beauty. The drawing was the subject of much controversy and speculation about the intentions of the artist and the hero, whose hands were described by Dürer.

About Durer

Albrecht Dürer (1471-1528) was the first draftsman of German Renaissance art. After completing a tour of Northern Europe and returning to his native Nuremberg, he traveled twice to Italy. In this cradle of the Renaissance, Dürer studied perspective, geometric proportions and human anatomy. Dürer's experience in Italy had a profound impact on his art. He was able to synthesize German and Italian painting styles and introduced in Germany the concepts of the Italian Renaissance. As recognized by art critics, it was Dürer who laid the foundation for the Northern Renaissance. A famous masterpiece, created as a result of inspired travels, was the drawing "Praying Hands".

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Background to the creation of the drawing

The Praying Hands were part of the painting, which took Dürer more than a year to create. As mentioned above, this was a sketch for the future triptych-altar, which patron Jacob Heller ordered from Dürer for the Dominican Church in Frankfurt. Later, the panel was acquired by the Bavarian monarch and transported to Munich, where it was later destroyed in a fire.

"Praying Hands" by Durer

The Praying Hands, dated 1508, became the most famous drawing of the Renaissance genius. The masterpiece has been repeatedly reprinted in art publications, and reproductions are often found in private collections. These copies are so widespread in German families that some art critics condemn them as the embodiment of the kitsch of pseudo-gods. Having considered some of the anatomical features of the "Praying Hands" and identifying the possible people to whom these hands belonged, one can restore the likely intentions of the work.

The hands in Dürer's drawing are thin, with elongated fingers and well-groomed nails, not calloused. The tendons are masterfully transferred, the hero's age is even noticeable on the hands (there are signs of old age). It is impossible not to notice that the little finger of the right hand is slightly bent at the level of the small joint. On the left hand, the thumb is extended and curved. A slightly bent left ring finger indicates deformity and joint problems.

Medical research

Pankaj Sharma, a physician in charge of clinical research, provided a detailed commentary on the possible pathologies of the hero in Dürer's drawing. He notes that the two palms are not completely touching, they are not pressed against each other or squeezed together. Therefore, as Dr. Sharma suggests, this hand placement could be the result of muscle wasting and neuropathy associated with diabetes. A bent little finger on his right hand, which he identifies as a possible case of Dupuytren's contracture, can also be a sign of diabetes.

An alternative diagnosis suggested by Sharma is rheumatoid arthritis. In this context, he draws attention to the deformed shape of several fingers and the position of the left thumb.

So whose hands are they?

There are several possible versions of who might be the owner of these hands. 1. The first version is the hands of Dürer's brother. Let's return to the childhood of the Durer brothers. Albrecht and his brother were very talented artists, but they were not rich enough to attend an art school together. Therefore, they decided to flip a coin and agree: the one who comes out the winner will go to art school, and the other will stay and work in his father's mine. Albrecht won the toss, while his younger brother stayed behind and worked in the mines. When Albrecht graduated from school and returned to his father's house, he told his brother that it was now his turn. But he refused, because as a result of working in the mines, his hands became weak. Saddened Durer decided to depict the tortured hands of his brother and dedicate part of the future altar to him. Is this story true? Or is it just a beautiful legend? The truth remains a mystery.

2. Other art historians believe that it is more likely that Dürer modeled the hands after his own. The same hands can be seen in some of his other works.

3. Adherents of the third version believe that Dürer was inspired by the work of Andrea Mantegna. He often depicted men with praying hands. For example, his work "The Risen Christ between St. Andrew and St. Longinus", dated 1472. On the right side of the painting, Saint Longinus prays (his hands are folded in the appropriate gesture of prayer, like a German painter). As in Dürer's drawing, the fingers are elongated, well-groomed, the left thumb is extended, and the little finger of the right hand is bent at the level of the proximal joint. Very similar work.

Indeed, Dürer's Praying Hands have an incredible spiritual dimension that touches the very essence of humanity and our need for mercy. In Dürer's work, the meticulously detailed tendons and fingers transform into a Gothic spire that guides the viewer's gaze upward, towards God. In addition, the drawing is enhanced by the white color - this makes the hands radiate light and life. In one sketch - a whole story, a whole story about the helplessness of ordinary mortals and a plea for mercy, for the mercy of God.

Continuing the topic, a story about secrets of symbolism of Dürer's apocalyptic engraving "Four Horsemen".