Reclining Nude 1775 - 1825

This Reclining Nude at the Met Museum was made with pen and brown ink, with brush and gray wash, over black chalk on paper. The artist has used the pen to create contour lines, and the wash to create a sense of volume and depth. This blending of linear and tonal techniques is typical of drawings intended as studies for larger works. Although anonymous, this piece required a high degree of technical skill, indicating the artist's familiarity with established artistic conventions. The anonymous nature of the artist raises questions about the social context of its creation. Was this a student exercise, or a preparatory sketch by a recognized master? Understanding the social and economic conditions surrounding its creation, is a reminder that every artwork is touched by the circumstances in which it was made. By looking closely at the materials and the making, we gain a fuller appreciation of its cultural significance.