zlacker

> hands were as important a focus of attention as the face was, because they were the only other visible area of the body

Huh, I had always assumed the reason that they were featured in renaissance art was the trend of depicting subjects with a sort of realism, combined with hands tending to be a more difficult feature for artists to master; so a good depiction of hands showcases the skill of the artist and enhances the work’s merit as a status symbol for its owner.

I guess both could be true. Hands are an important focus of attraction in the modern day tbf.

>>odysse+(OP)
I am reminded of a short scene in the film Goya's Ghosts, where the artists claims to charge more if the portrait he is painting includes one or two hands.