Studieblad met armen en benen 1568 - 1601

Giovanni Alberti’s study sheet, rendered in pen and ink, showcases arms and legs, capturing the raw potential and expressive capabilities of the human form. Here, the limbs are not merely anatomical studies but vessels of potential action and passion. Think of the recurring motif of the ‘active’ limb in classical sculpture: recall, for instance, the Laocoön, writhing in agony, or the discus thrower caught in a moment of poised tension. This dynamism evokes powerful emotional states. Consider, too, the hand – a symbol laden with meaning across cultures. In religious iconography, the hand is often depicted in gestures of blessing or supplication. The hands here, though, seem to grasp at something intangible, echoing the eternal human struggle for understanding and connection. These fragmented figures remind us that artistic symbols are not static; they evolve and resurface, echoing through time and culture.