French Nu Feminin 

Delphin Enjolras made this pastel drawing, titled "French Nu Feminin," during a period when academic art was under pressure from impressionism. The image suggests a private moment with the female figure facing away, the viewer becomes a voyeur. The pastel medium enhances the intimacy of the image. Although undated, we can assume it was made in France during the late 19th or early 20th century, a period marked by strict social norms regarding female representation. The image invites reflection on the historical construction of female beauty and the male gaze in art. Was it made for private enjoyment or public exhibition? As art historians, we can explore the artistic trends, social attitudes, and institutional frameworks in which this drawing was created, using period sources such as exhibition catalogs, art criticism, and social commentaries to understand the original context and interpret the drawing's meaning. The significance of this artwork lies in its historical contingency.