Zittend mannelijk naakt, naar links gedraaid 1760 - 1807

This is a drawing by Jan Tersteeg, made sometime in the late 18th century. The artist uses graphite and charcoal to depict a male nude in a seated pose. The starkness of the materials belies the artist's intent. Tersteeg uses thin strokes to create a sense of light and shadow, giving the figure a sculptural, three-dimensional quality. The paper support is left relatively untouched, its blankness contrasting with the areas of concentrated shading that define the figure's musculature. The contrast enhances the figure's muscularity, imbuing the drawing with a sense of classical ideals and the heroic male form. Note the presence of a mallet in the figure's hand, indicating the artist's awareness of the labor involved in sculpting these forms. It’s clear Tersteeg had tremendous skill, but he is deploying it here with the sole intention of conveying a classical ideal. The making is subordinate to the effect. This drawing reminds us that art is never just about raw talent; it's about how that talent is directed, and to what end.