Studies of Female Nudes 1785 - 1790

Gaetano Gandolfi made this drawing, Studies of Female Nudes, with chalk on paper. The paper is a humble material, but absolutely fundamental to the circulation of ideas. Think of paper’s role in everything from bookkeeping to the printing press. The artist’s skill is clear as he layers light and shadow to build the figures. You can see the varying pressure on the chalk creates depth and volume. But notice also how the studies remain unfinished. This gives us a glimpse into his process, of an artist honing his craft through repetition and refinement. In the eighteenth century, the academy was central to artistic training. Life drawing was key to this system, with countless hours spent studying the human form. This process was labor intensive: the cost of models, materials and studio space made it accessible only to some. In a world of increasing industrialization, the act of drawing retained a connection to the hand, to tradition, and to a slower pace of life.