Siddende model 1914 - 1915

Karl Isakson made this sketch of a seated model in pencil on paper. The early 20th century saw a growth in the public role of art as more institutions and schools opened with the aim of cultivating the artist’s eye. Here, Isakson sketches a nude woman who sits with her legs crossed and her arms folded in front of her. The geometric forms are reminiscent of cubism which aimed to challenge existing social norms. The human figure has been simplified into basic planes and angles that convey the model’s pose. The work is pared-down and minimalist. Isakson was from Sweden, which at the time would have been impacted by the Nordic art scene. For art historians, sketches like this can be very informative. By comparing the way artists are taught, the visual codes that they use and the cultural references they deploy, we can start to consider the social conditions that shape artistic production.