Hand met gespreide vingers 1874 - 1923

Willem Witsen sketched this hand with spread fingers. The open hand, a universal symbol, is deeply embedded in our collective consciousness. Think of the ‘manus Dei,’ the hand of God, a motif found in early Christian art, offering protection and blessing. In ancient Greece, outstretched hands were a gesture of supplication. The act of reaching out has long been a plea, a desire for connection, or even a silent scream for help. Consider how the raised hands in Edvard Munch’s ‘The Scream’ mirror an internal emotional state. The hand becomes a powerful vessel, carrying the weight of human emotion and experience. This simple sketch is a reminder that the language of gestures transcends time, echoing through the corridors of history, always ready to resurface.