Sketch of a Right Hand
early 18th century
Classification
figures
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Museum purchase through gift of various donors
Accession Number
1901-39-2845
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Nestled in the Smithsonian American Art Museum's collection *Sketch of a Right Hand offers a glimpse into the meticulous draftsmanship of early 18th-century America. This delicate drawing, acquired through the generosity of various donors, captures the anatomy of a single hand with precise lines and subtle modeling. Classified among figure studies, it exemplifies the foundational exercises artists undertook to master human form, where hands—often the most challenging feature—demanded acute observation of tendons, joints, and gesture. Created during a formative era in American art, when coloni...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...