Liggend mannelijk naakt, half opzittend geleund op de linkerarm Possibly 1780 - 1782

Jean Grandjean made this chalk drawing of a reclining male nude during the late 18th century. His artistic life occurred during a time when the aesthetics of the body were central to artistic expression. Here, the male body is presented in a way that deviates from the period’s traditional representations. The figure is positioned so we don't see the face, which shifts the focus from identity to form, and suggests a narrative beyond conventional portraiture. The vulnerability of the pose invites introspection. How does the absence of a visible face affect our emotional response to the artwork? This piece prompts a closer examination of art's role in shaping cultural ideals and individual experiences. It encourages us to think about how we connect with images and the stories they convey.