Artwork
Standing Nude with Crossed Arms
Standing Nude with Crossed Arms is an ink drawing by the Impressionist artist John Dawson Watson. It dates from 1879 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Standing Nude with Crossed Arms is a 1879 drawing by John Dawson Watson, a British artist trained at Manchester School of Design. Created with pen and brown ink over graphite, it exemplifies the artist's skill in figure drawing.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing depicts a standing nude figure with crossed arms, shown in profile. The subject's loose hair and bare chest are rendered in simple, expressive lines, while the background is suggested by loose, wavy strokes, possibly evoking water or clouds.
Technique & Style
Watson employed rapid, sketchy lines to capture the figure, leaving some areas unshaded. The use of cross-hatching creates areas of shadow, demonstrating the artist's technique for building form through line work. The overall effect is that of a swift study rather than a highly finished work.
Artist & collection
Artist
John Dawson Watson (20 May 1832 – 3 January 1892) was a British painter, watercolorist, and illustrator.
