Siddende mandlig model 1671 - 1738

Hendrik Krock rendered this red chalk drawing, "Sitting Male Model," likely in the early 18th century. The male figure, nude and muscular, is seated, head bowed in a contemplative pose. Here, Krock is partaking in a Renaissance tradition of emulating classical ideals, evoking the ancient Greek concept of the hero—a figure of strength, beauty, and intellectual depth. Consider the motif of melancholy, embodied in the figure's posture, which echoes through art history, notably in depictions of the philosopher Heraclitus. This introspective pose, which we see in countless images, is a reflection of humanity's grappling with existence. The emotional power of the image comes through the vulnerability of the figure. The cyclical progression of symbols is clear: the classical hero, imbued with melancholy, re-emerges across history, adapting and mirroring our collective consciousness.