Academy of a Seated Nude Holding a Staff
1742
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
1742
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
This sketch shows a seated woman with her legs bent to the side, holding a long staff in one hand. Her head is tilted back, eyes closed, and her hair is pulled up loosely. The drawing is all in brownish lines, with no color—just shadows and light strokes to show her curves and folds of fabric. The artist focused on how light hits her body to make it look three-dimensional. Notice how the lines get darker where her skin folds or where the fabric drapes. Next, look up chiaroscuro to see how this lighting trick works in other art.
