Zittend mannelijk naakt, van opzij gezien (3e prijs 1799) Possibly 1799

C. Courier made this red chalk drawing of a seated male nude in 1799. Using this earthy medium, Courier skillfully captures the softness of human flesh. Chalk is made from soft, porous limestone, and when applied to paper it crumbles slightly, creating a velvety texture. You can see the artist built up the form through careful cross-hatching, especially noticeable in the shadows around the figure’s torso and legs. The hatch marks follow the contours of the body, emphasizing its three-dimensionality. Though seemingly simple, life drawing was a cornerstone of academic artistic training. It required immense skill and discipline to accurately render the human form. The fact that Courier won third prize for this drawing suggests the high level of technical proficiency valued at the time. Consider the labor involved in achieving such a refined and lifelike representation with a humble piece of stone. This challenges the hierarchy that often elevates painting and sculpture above drawing, reminding us of the value of fundamental skills and the beauty found in simple materials.