Is the story of the Praying Hands true?
Mia Phillips
Updated on May 01, 2026
Beside this, what is the story behind the praying hands?
The Origin. The work was originally requested by Jakob Heller and is named after him. Although there are many rumors and stories about Dürer using his brother's hands as a reference and the man's hands suffering with some affliction, it is much more likely that Dürer modeled the hands after his own.
Furthermore, who made the praying hands? Albrecht Dürer
Simply so, what does the praying hands symbolize?
Praying hands are a Christian symbol often selected for tattoos as a remembrance to the power of Christ and prayer. Although many people will get the praying hand tattoo to signify their faith, the art itself has a deeper meaning. It represents dedication to self and family, courage and sacrifice and respect.
Where are the praying hands?
Both this copy plus the original, Praying Hands sketch are located at the Albertina Museum in Vienna, Austria. The fragile nature of Durer's masterpiece means that copies can only be displayed permanently, in order to fully preserve this historically significant artwork.