Main debout (Standing Hand) by Julio González stands tall as a beacon of defiance and sacrifice, a vertical sculpture that transforms the image of the hand into a profound symbol of resilience. With its fingers outstretched and its form rising upward, this work captures a moment of both resistance and offering. The positioning of the hand, almost in a gesture of blessing or appeal, recalls the Christic image of sacrifice and redemption—a visual echo that imbues the piece with spiritual and existential weight.

Visually, the bronze sculpture displays a stark yet elegant simplicity. The surface of the hand and its elongated shape create a tension between the natural curves of the human form and the rigid, almost industrial qualities of the medium. The dark patina on the metal adds a layer of gravitas, grounding the piece in the material world even as its form seems to reach beyond it. González's skill in manipulating metal to suggest both vulnerability and strength is particularly evident in this work, where each curve and contour carries the weight of both flesh and iron.

Created during the turbulent years of the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939), Main debout reflects the artist’s deep involvement in the political struggles of his homeland. The upright hand in this piece is more than a representation; it is a call to action, a gesture of solidarity with those who refuse to bow to oppression. González's choice to elevate the hand to this level of importance aligns with a broader art historical tradition where the hand symbolizes divine intervention or human endeavor, standing as a testament to the power of individual will in the face of overwhelming odds.

In Main debout, the hand becomes a symbol of human aspiration, a reaching towards something higher—a freedom, a truth, a better world. González masterfully balances the rawness of the industrial material with the elegance of the hand’s gesture, turning this simple form into a complex icon of both suffering and hope. It’s a piece that speaks to the resilience of the human spirit, beautifully capturing the tension between struggle and grace.

NOTES

The iron sculpture, executed circa 1937, is part of the esteemed collection of IVAM (Institut Valencià d'Art Modern) in Valencia, Spain. This sculpture was later cast in bronze in an edition of 8 numbered casts, with an additional four marked 0, 00, EA, and HC, as well as one designated for the donación González, marked M.E.A. C Madrid. Donated to the MEAC in 1973, it is now part of the collection of Museo Reina Sofía, Madrid.