Study of Christ’s left hand to the painting ‘Entombment’ 1850

Józef Simmler’s ‘Study of Christ’s left hand to the painting ‘Entombment’ is created using graphite on paper. Here, the artist is not only capturing form, but also the essence of human vulnerability and the emotional weight of the depicted scene. Look closely at the layering of graphite, the artist has used light, and shadow to convey the texture and shape of the hand, and of the wooden edge it rests on. This reflects the artist’s deep engagement with the material's inherent qualities, and a keen understanding of the interplay between light, and surface. The study itself embodies artistic labor, and the iterative process of refining one's craft. By focusing on the minutiae, the artist elevates the ordinary, and invites us to contemplate the physical, and emotional toll, rendering it with profound empathy, and artistic skill. It’s a testament to the power of drawing as a medium for conveying complex emotions.