Artwork

A Left Hand Holding a Staff and a Right Hand Holding a Glove and Riding Crop(?)

A Left Hand Holding a Staff and a Right Hand Holding a Glove and Riding Crop(?) is a graphite drawing by the Romanticist artist Paul Meyerheim. It dates from 1878 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Paul Meyerheim’s 1878 drawing, titled *A Left Hand Holding a Staff and a Right Hand Holding a Glove and Riding Crop*, is executed in graphite with a brown wash on buff‑colored wove paper. The composition isolates two hands, each grasping a distinct object, and presents them as the sole visual focus of the work.

Subject & Meaning

The left hand is depicted clutching a staff, while the right hand bears a glove and a riding crop, suggesting a possible equestrian or hunting context. By concentrating on the gestures and the objects held, Meyerheim invites contemplation of function, status, and the tactile qualities of everyday tools.

Technique & Style

Meyerheim employs a realistic drawing approach, rendering skin texture through fine lines, cross‑hatching, and subtle shading. The brown wash overlays the graphite, imparting warmth and a modest tonal depth that enhances the three‑dimensional illusion of flesh and the materiality of the objects.

History & Provenance

Created in 1878, the drawing is a representative example of Meyerheim’s late‑nineteenth‑century draftsmanship. It remains catalogued under the artist’s name, providing insight into his interest in detailed studies of human anatomy and everyday implements.