Studies of nude figures, after Michelangelo 

Here are Eugène Delacroix's "Studies of nude figures, after Michelangelo". Delacroix was deeply influenced by the Renaissance masters, particularly Michelangelo, whose work he studied extensively. In these sketches, Delacroix grapples with the male nude, a subject laden with historical and cultural significance. The drawings reflect both admiration for and negotiation with the classical ideal of masculine beauty. Delacroix's focus on the muscularity and dynamic poses of the figures evokes a sense of power and vitality, while the fragmented composition hints at the complexities of representing the human form. These studies reveal the artist's exploration of the human body as a site of both physical strength and emotional expression. In Delacroix's words: "Nature is pitiless; she never withdraws her flowers, her music, her means of attraction…". These drawings reflect this sentiment, echoing the eternal allure and challenge of capturing the human form.