Seated Male Nude c. 1873 - 1877

This is Edward Burne-Jones's sketch of a ‘Seated Male Nude’ at the Art Institute of Chicago, using graphite on paper. The delicate lines of the drawing articulate a figure lost in thought. The subject is seated on what appears to be a plinth, his posture suggesting introspection or quiet resignation. Burne-Jones was part of the Pre-Raphaelite movement, which revered the art of the late medieval period. However, his application of classical forms to render the male nude form reveals more than just a revival of past aesthetics. The composition, dominated by soft gradations and subtle contours, pushes against the strict academic figure drawing conventions of the time. The figure is constructed through a network of closely placed lines rather than bold contrasts, inviting us to contemplate the male body as a study in gentle humanity and sensitivity. The careful modulation of light and shadow suggests a deeper emotional landscape, a reflection of the artist’s exploration of beauty and its relationship to the human condition.