Staand mannelijk naakt met schaal 1878 - 1938

Richard Nicolaüs Roland Holst created this drawing, “Standing Male Nude with Bowl,” using graphite, giving it a subdued, almost ghostly presence. The figure's dynamic pose, with one arm raised holding a bowl, immediately draws the eye, yet the monochromatic palette keeps the overall tone contemplative. Holst’s use of line is particularly striking. Notice how the varying line weights create depth and shadow, defining the musculature while simultaneously flattening certain areas, abstracting the male figure. The bowl, held aloft, acts as a focal point, its circular form contrasting with the angularity of the body. This piece flirts with the traditional nude, but the sketch-like quality and the inclusion of another incomplete figure destabilizes any fixed reading. The drawing explores the semiotics of the male form and its cultural coding, but resists a singular interpretation. The bowl, an object of potential meaning, remains enigmatic. Is it an offering, a symbol of burden, or simply a formal element balancing the composition?