Twee handen 1710 - 1772

Petrus Johannes van Reysschoot created this drawing of two hands, with what appears to be red chalk, during the 18th century. This was a time when the Enlightenment’s emphasis on reason and empirical observation was impacting art. Artists sought to capture the human form with greater accuracy. In this context, Reysschoot's study becomes particularly interesting. The hands, rendered with delicate lines, invite us to consider the role of labor and skill in artistic practice. In a society where the work of one’s hands often determined social standing, the act of drawing hands becomes a meditation on class and identity. The hands could also represent the artist's own tools for creation, embodying the intimate connection between the artist and their craft. The drawing reminds us that hands are not just anatomical features, but also symbols of agency, connection, and human potential.