Männlicher Studienkopf, liegend 

Bernhard Neher the Younger made this study of a male head in sanguine chalk. It’s a preparatory sketch, likely for a history painting. Academic art in 19th-century Germany, particularly in institutions like the Düsseldorf Academy where Neher taught, emphasized the importance of studying classical forms. The rendering of light and shadow, the careful attention to anatomy – these were all part of a system designed to train artists in the creation of idealized figures that were meant to ennoble the viewer. Yet, this artistic project was embedded in a specific social context. Germany, at this time, was forging a national identity, and art played a key role in creating a shared cultural heritage. By looking at preparatory sketches, like this one, we can gain insight into the artist’s process, and how academic institutions shaped artistic production. A deeper understanding of the social and institutional context gives us a richer understanding of the art itself.