To studier af liggende kvindelig model 1838 - 1840

Wilhelm Marstrand made this drawing, “To studier af liggende kvindelig model” using graphite on paper. The inherent qualities of graphite—its softness and ability to create a range of delicate marks—are on full display. It's all about the artist's hand, building up tones and textures with layers of graphite. There's a subtlety here, achieved by the artist’s skillful control of the pencil. These drawings are studies, and that’s an important clue. In academic art training, drawing from life was a fundamental practice. It hones skills, trains the eye, and develops an understanding of form. But it also involves a certain social dynamic. The artist hires a model, usually from a lower class, and their body becomes a subject for artistic exploration. The act of observing and recording can reflect power dynamics. Marstrand’s drawing isn't just a display of technical skill, it reveals the role of labor, the social context of art making, and the traditions of academic training. All these aspects are deeply intertwined in the creation of this artwork.