Artwork
Undefined tissue
Undefined tissue is a drawing by Unknown. It dates from 1970 and is held in the collection of the Leiden University Libraries. The work is a monochrome drawing that depicts a pair of human hands clasped tightly around an indeterminate, block‑like form.
About this work
Overview
The work is a monochrome drawing that depicts a pair of human hands clasped tightly around an indeterminate, block‑like form. Rendered in shades of gray, the image emphasizes the tactile interaction between flesh and the mysterious object, presenting a study of grip and weight.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on the juxtaposition of realistic hands—complete with defined fingers, knuckles and skin folds—and an ambiguous, stone‑ or bone‑like mass. This contrast invites contemplation of the relationship between the human body and an unknown, perhaps burdensome, material.
Technique & Style
Executed with meticulous line work, the drawing employs cross‑hatching and fine shading to model the curvature of the hands and the texture of the solid shape. The precise rendering creates a clinical, almost scientific atmosphere, highlighting the physical tension of the grasp.
Context
Presented as an image rather than a traditional drawing on paper, the piece aligns with contemporary practices that explore the boundaries between drawing, photography and digital media, focusing on close observation and the materiality of the human hand.
Artist & collection
Domestic Scene
Giacomo and Cardinal Marco, investing Andrea, Abbot of San Zeno, with his Benefice
The Nymph of Fontainebleau
Portrait of a Woman
Madonna and Child with Saints in the Enclosed Garden
Venus and Minerva
Family Group of Four on Sofa
Wall painting from Room H of the Villa of P. Fannius Synistor at Boscoreale
