The Bible had inspired many artists. With the subject about baby Jesus, Virgin Mary, and Mary's mom, Saint Ann, there were more than 1000 paintings. Yet the painting showing in this blog by Albrecht Durer is quite unique in its simplicity and haunting devotional painting of Saint Ann. Anne's hand on her daughter takes on a consolatory meaning. Anne's distant gaze suggests a premonition of Christ's Passion.
The drawing of the "Praying Hands" by Albrecht Durer (1508) is not only an art work by a famous German artist in the 16th century, but also a show of sibling love.
Albrecht Durer grew up in an impoverished German family with an elder brother. Both Albrecht and his older brother showed artistic talent when they were young. By the time for finding an art teacher for the talented young artist, the parent said to the children.
"Even I love to send both of you to art school, we can only afford to send only one to learn from the master. The other needs to stay home and work."
Albrecht's brother said to his young brother to take art lessons from a master and he would stay home to work and make money for the household.
Albrecht's paintings became very popular and made sufficient money. He said to his elder brother to take classes from art master.
His brother told him that he was not able to do the painting because of his hands, after many years of hard labor and lost their fine skills to do the paintings.
One day, when his brother was praying before an altar, Albrecht caught this moment to draw his brother's praying hands. With his brother's praying hands with many signs of hard labor, Albrecht showed both gratitude and his respect to his brother.
