Staand mannelijk naaktmodel 1592 - 1597

This is Andrea Boscoli's chalk drawing, "Standing Male Nude," made around 1600. The figure immediately draws our eye, its red-chalk lines giving it a warmth against the pale paper. Boscoli captures the male form with a network of hatching lines, which define the figure’s contour and create the effect of light and shadow. The lines are more than descriptive; they are dynamic, energizing the figure, giving it weight and presence. The composition is a study in contrasts, with the muscularity of the figure set against the sketchiness of its execution. The drawing embodies a sense of movement, despite its stillness. One arm extends to the left, balancing the stick that stands to the right. His contrapposto pose is accentuated by the slight turn of the head and a gentle asymmetry in the shoulders, lending a naturalness to the figure. Here, Boscoli emphasizes the expressive potential of line and form, inviting us to appreciate how these elements can activate a sense of life and vitality.