As I have great difficulty creating hands in artwork, I thought it might be interesting to explore how other artists are able to create hands in their work.
This early cave drawing shows a very primitive hand, one without much detail or shadows.
Studies of an outstretched arm for the fresco 'The Drunkenness of Noah' in the Sistine Chapel, Michelangelo Buonarroti, circa 1508 - 1509, From the collection of: Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen
Michelangelo shows the strength of hands in his sketch using shadows to create muscles in the hands. Medium: charcoal and paper
Haberle's Left Hand, John Haberle, 1882, From the collection of: Amon Carter Museum of American Art
This fisted hand implies restrained violence. The detailed fingernails are especially impressive.
medium: charcoal
Hand Forms, Myers, Joel Philip (American, b. 1934), Artist, 1972 - 1972, From the collection of: Corning Museum of Glass
These hands are not true to form but their fluidity makes them beautiful.
medium: glass
Hand, TAKAMURA, Kotaro, 1918, From the collection of: The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo
This is contorted unnaturally but is raised in almost benediction.
Hands, From the collection of: LIFE Photo Collection
This photograph of a hand represents strength. The veins are protruding and the muscles are clenched.
medium: photograph
Discobolos, fragment: right hand with discus, Copy from an original by Myron, half of the V century bC, From the collection of: Museo di Scultura Antica Giovanni Barracco
This hand is also an example of strength and athleticism.
Medium: stone
The Hand of God, Auguste Rodin, 1898, From the collection of: Maryhill Museum of Art
This sculpture represents the hand of God and it is holding a collection of humans without visible exertion.
medium: plaster
Josef Hofmann's Hands In Action, Gjon Mili, 1940, From the collection of: LIFE Photo Collection
This photograph of the gnarled hands playing pianos caught my interest because the reflection of the hands shows both sides of the hands while they are in motion. medium: photograph
A Child's Hands (Helga), Aenne Biermann, 1928, From the collection of: The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
This photograph of a young girl's hands employs shadows to highlight their smoothness. medium: photograph
Hands, Eva Kmentova, 1968, From the collection of: Museum Kampa
This sculpture shows hands cupped outwards, with details focusing on the lines of the palm of the hand. medium: plaster of paris
Hands, Alexander Pokhilko, 2013/2013, From the collection of: State Museum — Cultural Center «Integration» named after N. A. Ostrovsky
This hand is kind of creepy and reminds me of the Adams Family. The bent fingers indicate movement, but there is not much detail, leaving this piece looking not quite alive.medium: plaster
Clasped Hands of Elizabeth and Robert Browning, Harriet Goodhue Hosmer, 1853/1853, From the collection of: National Museum of Women in the Arts
This sculpture of hands clasped together show the movement of the hands and has amazing detail, showing the veins on both the hands. medium: plaster
Hands and a Family of Birds, Lee Jung-seob, 1916/1956, From the collection of: Korea Data Agency
Here the artist uses a minimalist approach to hands, merely drawing their outline cupped at the top of the piece. medium: chalk pastel
Man with pink hand, Nadel, Arno, 20th century, From the collection of: Leo Baeck Institute, Center for Jewish History
Another minimalist hand, but interestingly the drawing is named after the least detailed appendage in the drawing.
medium: chalk pastel
Credits: All media
This user gallery has been created by an independent third party and may not represent the views of the institutions whose collections include the featured works or of Google Arts & Culture.
Corning Museum of Glass
The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
Museum Kampa
LIFE Photo Collection
Museo di Scultura Antica Giovanni Barracco
The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo
Maryhill Museum of Art
Korea Data Agency
State Museum — Cultural Center «Integration» named after N. A. Ostrovsky
National Museum of Women in the Arts
Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen
Amon Carter Museum of American Art
Leo Baeck Institute, Center for Jewish History