1702
chalk
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
A Nude Man Chained to a Rock is a 1702 chalk by Francesco Solimena, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This sketch shows a muscular man lying on his side, his arms and legs bound with rough ropes. His body is twisted awkwardly, and one arm is raised like he’s struggling. The paper has a textured, uneven surface, and the lines are light but defined, showing every muscle and curve. The artist focused on the body’s tension and weight, using quick, confident strokes. The loose, sketchy style suggests this might have been a quick study rather than a finished piece. Next, check out Baroque to see how drama and movement shaped this era’s art.
Francesco Solimena (4 October 1657 – 3 April 1747) was a prolific Italian Baroque painter, one of an established family of painters and draughtsmen.
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