Reclining Nude 1775 - 1825

This anonymous 18th-century "Reclining Nude" is a small but striking drawing, housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The figure, rendered in charcoal and white chalk on paper, lays on a red cloth, its form outlined against a dark, shadowy backdrop. The artist’s masterful use of light and shadow creates a sense of depth and drama, highlighting the figure's curves and emphasizing the stark contrast between the nude form and the enigmatic, shadowy background. This drawing exemplifies the fascination with the human figure prevalent during the 18th century.