A Male Nude, Half Reclining

Employing a restrained red chalk line, the artist builds volume through subtle shading and delicate hatching, achieving a soft transition reminiscent of sfumato without heavy modeling. The brown ground enhances the warm tonal quality, allowing the figure’s contours to emerge with clarity while maintaining a controlled, naturalistic appearance.

Matteo Rosselli, an Italian painter active in early 17th‑century Florence, is better known for large historical canvases. This drawing belongs to a series of preparatory studies he produced, reflecting his practice of refining human anatomy for larger works. The piece remains documented as part of Rosselli’s oeuvre, illustrating his versatility beyond monumental painting.