27 East – Praying Hands
Mayola G. Balentine – Donor
A rendition of the pen-and-ink drawing by the German printmaker, painter and theorist Albrecht Dürer is depicted in this panel. The original was created using the technique of white heightening and black ink on (self-made) blue-colored paper. The drawing shows a close-up of two male hands clasped together in prayer. The image is the most widely reproduced depiction of prayer in the Western world, found on posters, coffee mugs, mobile phones, and has been used as album artwork
The drawing used to be considered a sketch (study) for the hands of an apostle, whose full picture was planned to occupy the central panel of the triptych installed in Frankfurt entitled the Heller Altarpiece – destroyed by a fire in 1729. The first public recognition of the artwork was in 1871 when it was exhibited in Vienna, and the image is said to depict the hands of Dürer’s brother, one of eighteen siblings.
A story is told that Albrecht and a brother, Albert, had agreed to take turns at art school while the other worked in the mines to support the other during his study, and Albrecht won the coin toss to attend first. But, Albert’s work in the mines had damaged his hands, and by the time it was his turn to attend the school, it was impossible for him to do the fine and delicate work of an artist.
It is said that Albrecht was so moved by his brother’s sacrifice that he asked Albert to pose in prayer for him. He then drew the famous ink and pencil sketch of the “Praying Hands” as a model for an altarpiece he had been commissioned to create for a patron.
The simple drawing, which contains in itself the silent story of brotherly love, sacrifice, and generosity, has become a favorite of Christians for generations and is still seen today hanging on the walls of many Christian homes as a reminder of our need to pray.
It is also a reminder that the greatest sacrifices are often the most hidden – and the most pleasing in the eyes of God.
But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
When you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
Pray, then, in this way:
Our Father in heaven, may your name be revered as holy. May your kingdom come. May your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not bring us to the time of trial, but rescue us from the evil one. –Matthew 6:6-13