Nude Male Academy, Charcoal and stump drawing

This academic drawing is characterized by its focus on classical techniques and the study of human anatomy. The meticulous attention to the human form and the use of chiaroscuro (the treatment of light and shadow) is typical for the classical approach to figure drawing.

The drawing style is reminiscent of the 19th-century academic tradition, particularly influenced by artists such as Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, Pierre-Paul Prud’hon, Jules-Cyrille Cavé, Charles Bargue and Jacques-Louis David. These artists emphasized precise draftsmanship, anatomical accuracy, and the idealization of the human body, which are evident in the detailed musculature and dramatic lighting of the figure in this drawing.

The use of toned paper, which allows for the play of highlights and shadows, further supports the academic art tradition, where such techniques were commonly employed to create depth and realism.