Study of a Nude Man Falling Backwards c. 1894

Lovis Corinth made this intriguing pencil drawing of a nude man falling backwards sometime in his career spanning the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It challenges the traditional academic study of the nude, which often presented idealized and heroic figures. Corinth's man appears vulnerable, his aging body far from the athletic ideals of classical art. The sketch-like quality adds to the sense of immediacy, as if we've caught a fleeting, unguarded moment. Made in Germany, this work reflects the growing Expressionist movement, where artists sought to convey emotional experience over objective representation. To fully understand this drawing, it's important to consider the changing role of the artist in society at this time, and the rise of more experimental art academies. We can research exhibition records, artists' manifestos, and critical reviews to contextualize Corinth's work within the broader cultural landscape of his time.