Nude sketch and study of the head in a turban for the figure of Joseph of Arimathea to the painting ‘Entombment’ 1850

Here we see a pencil sketch by Józef Simmler for the figure of Joseph of Arimathea, part of his larger painting, ‘Entombment.’ The composition divides into two distinct studies: a nude figure kneeling and a head draped in a turban. Simmler’s use of line is economical yet descriptive, defining form and contour with minimal shading. The materiality of the pencil on paper creates a textured surface that enlivens the figures, contrasting with the smooth, idealized forms. The arrangement and juxtaposition invite a semiotic reading. The nude study emphasizes the physical, mortal body, while the head in a turban signifies the spiritual or ceremonial role of Joseph. This contrast challenges a singular interpretation, presenting Joseph as a figure caught between the earthly and the divine. The sketch underscores the power of line, not merely as a tool for representation but as a means of conveying complex ideas about faith, physicality, and identity. The sketch serves as a site of ongoing visual and intellectual exploration.