Knielend mannelijk naakt, op de rug gezien Possibly 1775

Jean Grandjean made this drawing of a kneeling male nude, seen from the back, using graphite on paper. Grandjean, who was active in the late 1700s, likely undertook this drawing as a study. The surface of the paper, though partially obscured by the graphite, shows a slight texture. You can see the tooth of the paper, which gives the drawing a subtle, lively quality. The artist's hand is evident in the varying pressure of the graphite, creating depth and shadow. See how the lines are denser in areas like the figure’s back and shoulders, suggesting musculature and form, with looser, sketchier lines in the surrounding landscape. In its time, life drawing such as this was a basic form of artistic labour, a way of acquiring skill. It was also a social activity performed in the context of the academy, where certain conventions of representation were established. Appreciating the skill involved, and the social context in which it was learned, helps us to see the value of this drawing. It also brings us closer to the artist, who dedicated himself to mastering the craft of representation.