Flying Figure 1837 - 1875

Alfred Stevens made this drawing of a flying figure at an unknown date, using graphite on paper. The image depicts a nude male figure in motion, possibly a study for a larger painting. Stevens was a Belgian painter who worked within the academic system, but his paintings often captured modern life and female subjects. In nineteenth-century Europe, academic figure drawing was central to artistic training, and artists were expected to master anatomy and classical forms. This drawing reflects the values of the European art academy, in which students were trained through rigorous exercise. The figure's idealized form and dynamic pose reflect an engagement with classical sculpture, a key aspect of institutional training in this period. By the late 19th century, the figure was a contested site, and some artists were questioning the value of academic training and institutions. Further investigation into Stevens’ involvement in the institutional art world might reveal the function of this drawing and its place within a broader social and cultural context.