Figuurstudie 1610 - 1641

This is Figuurstudie, a black chalk drawing by Anthony van Dyck. Van Dyck was one of the most celebrated portraitists of 17th-century Europe. He had a significant impact on British art. This drawing could be viewed in the context of the art academy. The image displays the artist's practice of sketching from life and the importance of anatomy for figure drawing. It reflects the institutionalized training that was becoming increasingly common for artists in the 17th century. Artists during this period were concerned with elevating the status of art and being recognized as intellectuals. Art academies played a crucial role in achieving this goal by providing a structured education and theoretical framework for artistic practice. To fully understand an artwork like this, we delve into the history of art education, looking at archival materials from the period, and reading treatises that would have informed the practice of artists like Van Dyck.