Artwork

Male Nude

Male Nude, by Gian Antonio Guardi, chalk, 1754
Male Nude, by Gian Antonio Guardi, chalk, 1754

Male Nude is a chalk drawing by the Romanticist artist Gian Antonio Guardi. It dates from 1754 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Male Nude is a drawing by Gian Antonio Guardi, created around 1754. It is executed in red chalk with white highlights on brown paper.

Technique & Style

The drawing features loose, flowing lines and rough strokes, suggesting a quick execution. The artist emphasized capturing movement over precise proportions, resulting in a dynamic pose. White highlights accentuate the light on the figure's shoulders and legs, creating a sense of depth.

Subject & Meaning

The drawing depicts a single male figure in a dynamic pose, with one arm bent and the other extended downwards. The focus on anatomical study is characteristic of 18th-century artistic practice.

Artist & collection

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.