Torso of Venus 1887

Here is Vincent van Gogh’s pencil drawing of a Torso of Venus. In the late 19th century, academic art training involved extensive study of classical sculptures, seen as the pinnacle of artistic achievement. Van Gogh’s choice of subject places him within a long tradition, but his rendering diverges significantly. The soft, almost fleshy treatment of the stone contrasts sharply with the idealized forms typically associated with Venus. He captures the weight and presence of the body, rather than an ethereal goddess. Consider the social context of the nude in art. Often, the female nude was presented for the male gaze, perpetuating power imbalances. However, here, the incomplete form invites a different kind of contemplation. It’s a study of form and mass. How does Van Gogh’s depiction challenge or reinforce traditional representations of the female form? How does this drawing invite you to reflect on the body, representation, and desire?