In Praise of Modesty 1879

Hans von Marées created this red chalk drawing called ‘In Praise of Modesty’ in the 19th century, a time marked by evolving societal expectations around gender and sexuality. Marées, working against the backdrop of traditional academic art, infuses the classical theme with a palpable tension. The seated female figure, draped yet exposed, embodies a complex negotiation of modesty. Her gaze and posture suggest introspection, a quiet rebellion against conventional portrayals of women as passive objects. The male figure, standing nude, is also subtly challenging expectations. His self-contained stance invites questions about traditional masculinity. Marées seems to use the classical form to explore new ideas about gender, desire, and identity. The drawing invites us to consider how these figures relate to one another and to reflect on the unspoken narratives of power and vulnerability. It prompts reflection on the personal negotiations of identity within social constraints.