Artwork
A Standing Male Nude
A Standing Male Nude is a chalk drawing by the Impressionist artist Pierre Puvis de Chavannes. It dates from 1879 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
This drawing is called A Standing Male Nude.
It was made by Pierre Puvis de Chavannes around 1879.
The artist used black chalk and a technique called stumping on tracing paper to create this work, which is a pretty traditional way of making art at that time.
You can learn more about similar drawings at the National Gallery of Art, Washington.
Overview
A Standing Male Nude is a drawing created by Pierre Puvis de Chavannes around 1879. The work is executed in black chalk with stumping on tracing paper, a medium suited for preparatory studies.
Technique & Style
The drawing was squared for transfer, indicating its intended use as a study for a larger work. The technique and medium employed are characteristic of traditional academic drawing practices of the time.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing depicts a male figure in a contemplative pose, rendered with restraint. The subject is a nude male form, a classic theme in art, here treated with a subdued emotional tone.
Context
Puvis de Chavannes was a prominent French muralist and a leading figure in the early Third Republic, co-founding the Société Nationale des Beaux-Arts. His work and influence extended beyond painting to other artists, including sculptors and medallists.
Artist & collection
Artist
Pierre Puvis de Chavannes (French pronunciation: ; 14 December 1824 – 24 October 1898) was a French painter known for his mural painting, who came to be known as "the painter for France".
