Figure, from Six Figures Académiques 1742 - 1743

This etching, "Figure, from Six Figures Académiques," created by Carle van Loo between 1742 and 1743, showcases the artist's mastery of anatomical detail and dynamic pose. The figure is rendered with meticulous precision, highlighting the interplay of light and shadow across the musculature. This print, part of a series of six academic figures, was likely intended as a study tool for aspiring artists, demonstrating ideal proportions and foreshortening. It now resides at the Art Institute of Chicago, offering viewers a glimpse into the rigorous study of the human form in 18th-century European art.