Right Hand and Arm c. 1625 - 1646

This sanguine drawing of a "Right Hand and Arm" was made by an anonymous artist. The absence of a known author invites us to reflect on the roles of anonymity and authorship in art history. Often, works by marginalized artists—women, people of color, or those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds—are lost to history or misattributed. This drawing may have been a preparatory study, where the artist was less concerned with claiming ownership. The red chalk gives a warmth to the drawing and brings a sense of immediacy to the work, as if the hand is reaching out, inviting you to grab it. Consider the labor, skill, and intention embedded in every stroke, and the stories that may be obscured by the anonymity of its maker. This work prompts us to think about the countless unnamed individuals whose contributions have shaped the art world as we know it.