Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Hand XL is a sculpture by contemporary Argentinian artist Marcelo Martin Burgos.
The artist created this sculpture for his daughter, as a good luck charm for the challenges she will face in life. The hand is inspired by the Hand of the Mysteries, also known as the Philosopher’s Hand, an alchemic illustration first appeared in a 15th century book (Isaac Holland’s Die Hand der Philosophen). Just as the alchemical hand was full of symbols, with his bronze hand Marcelo Burgos uses personal symbols to conjure everything his daughter will need in life:
“In the palm of the hand there is a sleeping head, that will give her DREAMS. In the little finger, an elephant that symbolizes STRENGTH. In the next finger there is a Kirpan, the Sikh’s dagger. Sikhs (a group of people who adhere the Indian or Dharmic religion of the Sikhism) are expected to embody the qualities of a “saint-soldier”, showing no fear on the battlefield and treating defeated enemies humanely and fight for the deprived. The Kirpan will inspire COMPASSION. The fire is LOVE. There is a saying in Spain “you are smarter than a squirrel”, and the squirrel is there to bring her INTELLIGENCE. And the last one is there because even though she may receive all the gifts mentioned before, she would still need the star, as the star intends to bring her a little bit of LUCK.”
This work by Marcelo Burgos may also evoke other references from the history of art and design, notably the ‘Hand-Chairs’ by the Mexican artist and designer Pedro Friedeberg (1936), designed conceiving the palm of the hand as a seat, and the polished bronze sculpture ‘The Sleeping Muse’ by Constantin Brancusi (1876 – 1957), directly recalled by the sleeping head resting on the palm of the hand.
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Hand XL is a sculpture by contemporary Argentinian artist Marcelo Martin Burgos.
The artist created this sculpture for his daughter, as a good luck charm for the challenges she will face in life. The hand is inspired by the Hand of the Mysteries, also known as the Philosopher’s Hand, an alchemic illustration first appeared in a 15th century book (Isaac Holland’s Die Hand der Philosophen). Just as the alchemical hand was full of symbols, with his bronze hand Marcelo Burgos uses personal symbols to conjure everything his daughter will need in life:
“In the palm of the hand there is a sleeping head, that will give her DREAMS. In the little finger, an elephant that symbolizes STRENGTH. In the next finger there is a Kirpan, the Sikh’s dagger. Sikhs (a group of people who adhere the Indian or Dharmic religion of the Sikhism) are expected to embody the qualities of a “saint-soldier”, showing no fear on the battlefield and treating defeated enemies humanely and fight for the deprived. The Kirpan will inspire COMPASSION. The fire is LOVE. There is a saying in Spain “you are smarter than a squirrel”, and the squirrel is there to bring her INTELLIGENCE. And the last one is there because even though she may receive all the gifts mentioned before, she would still need the star, as the star intends to bring her a little bit of LUCK.”
This work by Marcelo Burgos may also evoke other references from the history of art and design, notably the ‘Hand-Chairs’ by the Mexican artist and designer Pedro Friedeberg (1936), designed conceiving the palm of the hand as a seat, and the polished bronze sculpture ‘The Sleeping Muse’ by Constantin Brancusi (1876 – 1957), directly recalled by the sleeping head resting on the palm of the hand.
👉 Artistics is a Paris-based contemporary art gallery which operates mainly online. We are a team of passionate professionals driven by the thrill to discover new talents and to share their art with you!
👁 Want to see more from Artistics?
Never miss a new studio visit! Subscribe here: bit.ly/3XkpSJb
Buy unique artworks on our website: bit.ly/3JovXP6
To receive our bimonthly newsletter, subscribe here: bit.ly/3qLvZdi
Follow us on Instagram: bit.ly/43RAWjB
Like us on Facebook: bit.ly/448ROSG
