Reclining Male Nude (verso)

About this work

A man lies on his side, back turned, one arm bent under his head. The lines are quick, almost scribbled, like a private sketch. Vuillard drew this on the back of a sheet he’d already used for a portrait of his sister. Artists often flipped paper to save money—this quiet nude feels like a secret, not meant for the public. The same pose appears in a pastel and painting, but here, it’s just charcoal and shadow. Look up more works by Edouard Vuillard (French, 1868–1940) to see how he turned everyday moments into art.