Staand mannelijk naakt, op de rug gezien c. 1812

Here is a drawing of a standing male nude, seen from the back, by A. Waterloo. The figure dominates the composition, its starkness intensified by the artist’s choice of medium: delicate strokes of graphite create a striking contrast. The robust form is softened by the subtle gradations of light and shadow which define the muscles and curves. Waterloo’s positioning of the figure against a minimalist backdrop focuses our attention on the body's contours and structure. The man leans slightly, placing one hand on a stone block to create an asymmetrical counterpoint to the figure’s verticality. This subtle shift challenges classical ideals of balance, introducing a dynamic tension within the otherwise static pose. The artwork seems to question the boundaries of traditional representation through a carefully constructed interplay of form and negative space, light and shadow. The piece invites viewers to find their own meaning through the interplay of observation and interpretation.