Nude standing 

Paul Mathiopoulos created this nude standing figure with pastels, a medium that lends itself to both precision and a sense of softness. Mathiopoulos, born in 1876, lived through a time of shifting social mores and evolving artistic conventions. His work invites us to consider the construction of masculinity and how it is represented in art. Here, he departs from traditional representations of the male nude. The subject is not idealized or heroic, but an older man with a natural physique. The figure is posed in a way that is vulnerable and introspective, hands clasped behind his back. During this time, a man's identity was closely linked to notions of strength, virility, and power. The image challenges us to reconsider these rigid norms. It provides an alternative narrative that embraces a more nuanced and human perspective. The emotionality of the piece lies in its ability to prompt viewers to reflect on their own assumptions and expectations about the body and identity.