Zittend mannelijk naakt, van opzij gezien (3e prijs 1778) Possibly 1778

Christiaan Welmeer created this nude male study in 1778, using chalk on paper. It earned third prize in a competition. But let’s not just think about the prize, but about the making. Chalk, though easily overlooked, is a powerful medium. It allows an artist to build tone through repeated applications, achieving a subtle modulation of light and shadow. Look at how Welmeer coaxes a three-dimensional form from a flat surface, using only the simplest of means. The choice of materials and the skill demonstrated here also tell us something about the social context. In the 18th century, life drawing was an important part of academic training. This wasn’t just about technical mastery; it was about understanding ideal proportions, and the beauty of the human form. Such skill was highly valued and demanded extensive training and practice. When we look at the image with attention to the processes that produced it, we come to appreciate not only the artist’s skill, but also the wider traditions of fine art, labor, and education that it represents.