Zittend mannelijk naakt, van voren gezien (2e prijs 1798) Possibly 1798

Jacobus Wijsman created this 'Sitting Male Nude' in 1798, using red chalk on paper. This was not just any drawing, but one that won second prize. The red chalk medium gives the piece a warmth and depth that contrasts with the coolness often associated with academic studies of the nude. Note how the chalk allows for a subtle gradation of tone, creating the illusion of three-dimensionality and musculature. This wasn't just about depicting the human form, it was a demonstration of skill, showing control over the medium. In its time, drawings like this were fundamental to artistic training, emphasizing the importance of draftsmanship and the close study of anatomy. Yet, we can also consider the social context: the labor involved in posing, the artist's own training, and the value placed on this kind of skill in late 18th-century society. It goes to show that even the most traditional art forms are deeply embedded in their time.