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The History of the Praying Hands
In Nuremburg in the 15th century lived a family of 18 children.The father of this large family worked as a goldsmith and he took on virtually any neighborhood chore to provide for his family.
Albrecht Durer had 2 sons that had a dream. Having a love for art and desiring to study in Nuremberg at the Academy, the boys knew there was no way that their father could afford it.
The 2 boys had an idea. They would flip a coin and the loser would go to the mines and work to support the other through school. After 1 had completed school, then he would support the other.
After tossing the coin, Albrecht Durer won the toss and went off to Nuremberg.
His brother Albert went to the mines and financed his brothers work at the academy. Albrecht's etchings, woodcuts, and his oils were far better than those of most of his professors, and by the time he graduated, he was beginning to earn considerable fees.
When Albrecht returned to his village he told his brother, "now it is your turn, I will support you." But Albert showed him his shattered hands from the years of laboring in the mines and he said "it is too late for me my brother".
To pay homage to Albert for all that he had sacrificed, Albrecht drew his brother's abused hands with palms together and thin fingers stretched skyward. He called his drawing simply "Hands," but the entire world immediately opened their hearts to his great masterpiece and renamed his tribute "The Praying Hands."
