Standing Male Nude by Adriaen van de Velde

Standing Male Nude 1646 - 1672

facial expression drawing

pencil sketch

charcoal drawing

portrait reference

pencil drawing

underpainting

animal drawing portrait

portrait drawing

portrait art

fine art portrait

"Standing Male Nude" is a red chalk drawing by Adriaen van de Velde, dating from 1646-1672. The drawing, currently housed in the Rijksmuseum, depicts a nude male figure in a life-study pose. The subject is rendered with a strong emphasis on anatomy, with the artist meticulously capturing the form and structure of the body. This meticulous attention to detail highlights the burgeoning interest in anatomical studies during the 17th century. Van de Velde was known for his skill in drawing the human form, and this work is a prime example of his talent. The drawing's reddish hues, along with the artist's signature, are clearly visible. The drawing's simplicity and focus on the nude figure make it a powerful example of the artist's technical mastery. This study likely served as a preparatory sketch for a larger composition.

Comments

rijksmuseum over 1 year ago

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Van de Velde often placed his models in strong raking light, which served to emphasize the body’s plasticity. Most of his male models wear a generous loincloth, yet this model – who features in at least one other drawing – evidently did not hesitate to pose in the nude. Van de Velde does not seem to have used this study for any of his paintings.