Dimensions: 328 mm (None) (None)
Theodor Philipsen created this drawing of a male model, now at the SMK, with graphite on paper. The drawing’s composition is immediately striking because of the stark contrast between the solid, grounded form of the model's legs and the soft, almost atmospheric background. Philipsen masterfully uses line and shading to define the muscular structure of the legs, creating a sense of volume and presence. The anatomical exactitude is combined with the soft application of graphite, which softens the precision with a veil of ambiguity. The drawing could be considered an exploration of form, where the human body serves as a structure for experimenting with light, shadow, and texture. The composition invites us to consider the human body not just as a subject, but as a series of shapes and lines that challenge fixed notions of representation. In this piece, the body is simultaneously present and abstracted, inviting ongoing interpretation.
Comments
The Danish painter Theodor Phillipsen was a student at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen from 1862-1869. Part of his education was drawing nude male models. There are two drawings from c. 1867 by Phillipsen in the collection of the National Gallery of Denmark. These drawings have, however, subsequently been cropped to fit a platter and punchbowl when the artist used the other side of the paper for two ceramic designs in the 1890s. The two sketches are relatively large. This could be because Phillipsen wanted to include as much of the academy drawings on the back as possible. Today the ceramic sketches are seen as the front of the drawings, but because Phillipsen made them on paper he had used before, his academy drawings have also found their way into our collection. This could have been a conscious recycling strategy by the artist, or else the academy drawings were the only paper he had at hand when making the ceramic sketches.
Join the conversation
Join millions of artists and users on Artera today and experience the ultimate creative platform.
CollectMore like this
