1717
chalk
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
A Reclining Male Nude is a 1717 chalk by Georg Raphael Donner, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This sketch shows a man lying on his side, his body relaxed but drawn with careful attention to muscle and skin. The lines are soft and smudged, blending dark and light shades to give the figure shape. His head rests on one hand, and his legs are slightly bent. The artist used chalk and washed the paper greenish-brown to add depth. This style was common in studies where artists practiced anatomy. Look up Baroque to see how this sketch fits into that dramatic, detailed movement.
Georg Rafael Donner (24 May 1693 – 15 February 1741) was one of the most prolific Austrian sculptors of the 18th century.
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