Who painted Three Studies of Hands Clasped in Prayer?

Three Studies of Hands Clasped in Prayer was painted by Jacopo Guarana in 1764.

Where can I see Three Studies of Hands Clasped in Prayer?

Three Studies of Hands Clasped in Prayer is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Three Studies of Hands Clasped in Prayer?

Three Studies of Hands Clasped in Prayer is associated with Baroque.

Can I buy a print of Three Studies of Hands Clasped in Prayer?

Museum-quality prints of Three Studies of Hands Clasped in Prayer are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Three Studies of Hands Clasped in Prayer

Jacopo Guarana , 1764

Three Studies of Hands Clasped in Prayer is a chalk drawing by the Baroque artist Jacopo Guarana. It dates from 1764 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Jacopo Guarana’s drawing, titled Three Studies of Hands Clasped in Prayer, dates to 1764. Executed on a reddish‑brown laid paper, the work consists of three separate studies rendered in black chalk with areas heightened in white. The composition records the gesture of prayer through the intimate rendering of clasped hands, each study presenting a distinct tactile quality.

Subject & Meaning

The three studies focus exclusively on the act of prayer, depicting hands pressed together in a devotional pose. One pair appears aged and textured, suggesting a life of labor, while another pair is rendered with smooth, youthful contours, highlighting the universal nature of the gesture across ages and social conditions.

Technique & Style

Guarana employed a rapid chalk technique, using black strokes to define form and white highlights to model light on the warm paper ground. The loose, gestural lines convey immediacy, allowing the artist to capture subtle variations of skin tone and pressure within a brief drawing session.

History & Provenance

Created as preparatory studies for larger religious commissions, the drawing illustrates Guarana’s method of mastering hand anatomy before integrating them into complex compositions. The work is now part of the collection of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, where it is displayed among other drawings by the Venetian‑born artist.