Deux garçons nus chantant 

Luc-Olivier Merson made this drawing of two nude boys singing with chalk on paper. The brown paper, typical of academic studies, provides a warm ground against which the artist could model the figures in light and shade. Merson's technique is particularly evident in the rendering of the boy on the left. He used white chalk to highlight the contours of the body and capture the way light falls on the skin. The juxtaposition of light and dark creates a sense of depth and volume, giving the figure a sculptural presence. Merson’s attention to detail also extends to the texture of the paper itself, allowing it to peek through in areas, adding a tactile quality to the drawing. The drawing exemplifies academic artistic training, emphasizing meticulous observation and skillful rendering of the human form, a key aspect of 19th-century art education. This rigorous approach, rooted in classical traditions, sought to elevate art to a higher intellectual plane, separate from everyday making practices.