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A Heroic Male Nude

Bertel Thorvaldsen

1807

ink

paper

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Romanticism Early 19th Century Nude

Dominant colour

A Heroic Male Nude is a 1807 ink by Bertel Thorvaldsen, a Romanticism work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Bertel Thorvaldsen
When & what style?: 1807 · Romanticism
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This sketch shows a strong, muscular man from behind, bending forward with one arm raised. His body is drawn in quick, confident lines that emphasize muscle and movement. The paper has a faint texture, and the ink is mostly brown, with some darker shading under his arm and along his back. The artist focused on the body’s power and shape, leaving out details like the face or background. This style was common in studies for larger sculptures or paintings. Next, check out cross-hatching to see how artists build shading with layered lines.