Bust of Nude Man 

Alphonse Legros made this drawing of a nude man with pencil on blue paper. We can link its classical style to the academic art institutions of 19th-century France. Legros taught at the Slade School of Fine Art in London, where rigorous life drawing was central to the curriculum. The image creates meaning through its references to classical sculpture, evident in the subject's idealized physique and contemplative pose. Made during a period of rapid social and economic change, we can see that the art institutions of the time played a role in shaping artistic production. This drawing reflects the conservative values of the academy, where the study of the nude figure was seen as essential to artistic training. The role of the historian is to examine the social and institutional contexts in which art is made. By consulting archives, exhibition catalogs, and other primary sources, we can gain a deeper understanding of its meaning and significance.