Hope Rising

This emotive portrait by Maria Esther Panesso Mercado captures the tender vulnerability and quiet strength of a child in a moment of deep reflection. Painted with expressive palette-knife strokes, the artwork reveals a young figure with hands gently clasped beneath the chin, gazing upward with eyes filled with longing, innocence, and hope. The textured layers of blues and earthy tones on the face and hands add depth, creating an intimate sense of emotional storytelling.