The hand of the novelist, captured in plaster. Victor Hugo died in 1885 and a mould taken around time of death was then able to inform casts and models for some time afterwards, like this one. It seems a little creepy to us today, but we have to admit that the Victorians’ obsession with death and macabre memory yields some intriguing glimpses into the past. Although this cast never touched Hugo himself, there’s still a presence there, a tangible link with someone who has died.

Hugo spent many years in exile from France on Guernsey and it was during this time that he wrote several of his most famous books. He’s fondly remembered by the people on the island and in their museum they can still look at a piece of him.

With thanks and CCL to Guernsey Museum and Art Gallery and Art UK
https://artuk.org/discover/artworks/victor-hugos-right-hand-299843