Zittend mannelijk naakt, van opzij gezien (1e prijs 1788) Possibly 1788

Bartholomeus Ziesenis created this sanguine drawing of a seated male nude, titled "Zittend mannelijk naakt, van opzij gezien", around 1788. The figure, rendered in delicate strokes of red chalk, is positioned asymmetrically, creating a dynamic visual tension. The careful hatching and cross-hatching not only define the musculature but also construct a complex interplay of light and shadow. Note how the artist uses line and shading to articulate the figure's skin and volume to create a classical form while also expressing a more naturalistic, less idealized representation of the body. This balance embodies a tension between academic tradition and a newer empirical approach to representation. In its subtle defiance of strict Neoclassical ideals, the artwork operates as a commentary on shifting aesthetic values. Its formal qualities reflect a broader cultural movement towards greater emotional and representational honesty, even within established academic frameworks.