Studie af liggende mandlig model 1860 - 1864

Theodor Philipsen made this sketch, Studie af liggende mandlig model, in pencil on paper. Philipsen, who lived from 1840 to 1920, was part of a generation grappling with shifting social norms, including those around gender and sexuality. During this period, the male nude was a traditional subject in academic art, often used to convey ideas of heroism, beauty, and idealized masculinity. However, Philipsen's sketch departs from these conventions. The model is not posed heroically, but instead appears vulnerable, his face hidden as he rests on his arms. What does it mean to portray the male body in a posture of repose rather than strength? What alternative narratives does Philipsen develop here? The sketch invites contemplation on the performance of masculinity. It encourages us to consider how societal expectations shape our understanding and representation of the human form. In its quiet intensity, the work offers a space for considering the complexities of identity and representation.