Staand mannelijk naakt, met een doek achter de rug, van voren gezien Possibly 1779

Jean Grandjean made this drawing of a standing male nude with charcoal, likely during his training in the late 18th century. At the time, the male nude was the ultimate test of an artist’s skill and the foundation of academic art. The figure’s idealized form and graceful pose are steeped in the classical tradition, reminiscent of ancient Greek sculptures. However, rather than depicting a mythological hero, Grandjean presents us with a seemingly ordinary man. Note how his expression is contemplative, even melancholic. The cloth draped behind him adds a sense of drama, but it also hints at vulnerability. What does it mean to see a male body presented with such sensitivity? How does it challenge or reinforce societal expectations of masculinity? As you look at the drawing, consider how Grandjean humanizes his subject, inviting us to see beyond the idealized form and connect with the individual.