Hand van de Kruisiging: c. 1475 - 1477

This is a close-up of "Hand of the Crucifixion," a small wooden sculpture made by Adriaen van Wesel in the 15th century. The sculpture's composition is dominated by the hand itself, its fingers slightly curled as if in resignation. The wood grain adds a tactile dimension, inviting a sense of closeness. The hand, severed from the body, functions as a potent symbol. In semiotic terms, the hand signifies not only the physical suffering of Christ but also the broader themes of sacrifice and redemption central to Christian doctrine. The artist's choice of wood and the meticulous carving speak to a broader cultural context in which materiality was deeply intertwined with spiritual meaning. This fragment challenges fixed meanings, offering an ongoing interpretation of faith, suffering, and the symbolic power of art.