Zrfdbck - Touching Transcendence

“Touching Transcendence” delves into the symbolic representation of the hand as a connection between the divine and humanity. It examines the significance of gestures that transcend verbal communication, bridging spirituality and the real world through the power of touch. Throughout history, the hand has held profound significance in various cultures and religious traditions. In Jewish and Christian art, particularly during the late antique and early medieval periods, depicting God the Father or Yahweh as a complete human figure was deemed unacceptable. Instead, artists used the artistic metaphor of the “Touching Transcendence” to convey the presence of the divine without representing a physical form. This motif often appears from above, sometimes with a portion of the arm, bestowing blessings or engaging in actions.