Artwork
Seated Male Nude: Study for "Science" - Iowa State Capitol
Seated Male Nude: Study for "Science" - Iowa State Capitol is a graphite drawing by Kenyon Cox. It dates from 1905 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Seated Male Nude: Study for 'Science' - Iowa State Capitol is a graphite pencil drawing by Kenyon Cox, dated to 1905. The work depicts a seated male figure in a contemplative pose, with the artist's annotations and a squared grid indicating its preparatory nature for a larger project.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing portrays a barefoot male nude sitting with extended legs, left arm resting on knee, and right hand on chin. The pose conveys a sense of introspection or contemplation, potentially symbolizing the personification of 'Science' as annotated by the artist.
Technique & Style
The drawing features simple, effective shading that clearly defines the subject's form. A faint graphite grid overlays the paper, facilitating future scaling. The technique is characteristic of preparatory studies, prioritizing proportion and pose over intricate detail.
History & Provenance
Created in 1905, this study was intended for a larger work destined for the Iowa State Capitol, as indicated by Cox's marginal notes ('Science' and 'Iowa State Capitol'). The squared grid suggests plans for enlargement.
Context
This drawing reflects common practices in late 19th and early 20th-century artistic preparation, where grids were used for scaling and nude studies were foundational for figure representation in public art.
Legacy
As a preparatory study, its legacy lies in its contribution to the final, larger work for the Iowa State Capitol, rather than as a standalone piece widely recognized in Cox's oeuvre.
Artist & collection
Artist
Kenyon Cox was an American painter, illustrator, muralist, writer, and teacher. Cox was an influential and important early instructor at the Art Students League of New York. He was the designer of the League's logo,…
