Sketches of Two Satyrs n.d.

Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux made "Sketches of Two Satyrs" using red chalk. Carpeaux lived through times of massive social change in France, and was taught by the famous sculptor Rude, who had an interest in Neoclassical art and patriotic themes. Here we have a glimpse into the artist's process of representing classical male figures. The satyr, a creature of classical mythology, serves as a vehicle to explore themes of masculinity and the male nude within the academic tradition. As you look, consider the historical fascination with classical forms, reflecting ideas about beauty, power, and the ideal body that have been culturally constructed. In Carpeaux's time, the representation of the male body often carried political undertones related to virility and strength. The confident lines of the sketch highlight the tension between the mythical and the real, reflecting the societal values of the time.