The Wild Man 1649

Conrad Meyer’s 1649 drawing, “The Wild Man,” depicts a nude figure with a long beard, a wreath of leaves on his head, and a thick branch in his hand. His body is partially covered in leaves. The figure stands in a contrapposto pose, a classic art technique, with his weight resting on his left leg and his right arm reaching out. The drawing, which is in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, showcases Meyer’s skillful use of line and shading to create a sense of volume and detail. This drawing is a fascinating example of the continued interest in the wild man, a mythical figure often depicted in art.