Seated Male Nude with Open Book 1695 - 1705

Pedro Duque Cornejo sketched this "Seated Male Nude with Open Book" with pen and brown ink on laid paper. During the 17th and 18th centuries, the male nude was a subject of academic study, embodying ideals of beauty and strength often rooted in classical antiquity. But while this drawing fits within that tradition, the intimacy suggested by the open book invites us to consider the sitter’s inner life. The choice to depict the figure nude can be interpreted as a statement on vulnerability and self-revelation. Simultaneously, it makes this private moment available for public consumption. The work exists in this complicated intersection of visibility and invisibility. Ultimately, Cornejo’s sketch encourages us to reflect on the layers of identity and representation embedded in a seemingly simple portrayal of the human form. How can vulnerability also be performative?