Study of Hands

1842

Study of Hands, 1842. Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres (French, 1780–1867). Graphite with traces of white heightening on ivory laid paper; sheet: 31.2 x 23.6 cm (12 5/16 x 9 5/16 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund 2003.37 This sheet of studies was made as a preparatory design for a series of stained glass windows for the Chapel of Saint Ferdinand in Paris. Here, Jean- Auguste-Dominique Ingres sketched four sets of hands that seem to cascade down the page in one rhythmic motion, masterfully illustrating the beauty of mise en page. In his use of graphite, Ingres alluded to the metalpoint drawings of Raphael, intentionally channeling the Renaissance master. Ingres executed many studies for each of his stained glass designs, from preliminary sketches such as this one to full-scale cartoons.