Wood Carving of Praying Hands

This relief carving depicts hands clasped together in prayer beside a church window with a cross. The texture of the wood gives the hands a lifelike quality. Ira Blount’s (1918-2020) carving is an homage to the famous “Praying Hands” image created by German artist Albrecht Dürer in 1508. In the background, the letters “AD,” rendered as Dürer’s distinctive monogram signature, appear to be carved into a stone wall. This reference to the little-known origins of a ubiquitous work demonstrates Ira Blount’s deep knowledge of art history.

After moving to Washington, DC following World War II, Ira Blount mastered dozens of artisanal crafts. His love for crafting, learning, and community engagement would endure over the course of his long life and career.