Figure Studies (recto and verso) c. 1800

"Figure Studies (recto and verso)" is a c. 1800 pen and ink study by the Swiss-born artist Henry Fuseli. Fuseli was known for his fantastical, often macabre, paintings and drawings, but this work is a more classical study of the human form. The drawing shows two figures, one from the back and one from the front, both in various poses. This work demonstrates Fuseli's mastery of anatomy and his ability to capture the dynamic movement of the human body. The artist's interest in anatomy is evident in the detailed rendering of the muscles and tendons. This drawing, now in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, demonstrates the artist's process and his keen observation of the human form.