French School, 18th Century. Study Of A Man Seen From Behind, Drawing.

18th-century French school
Study of a man seen from behind,
Charcoal and white chalk on brown paper
46 x 29 cm
Framed under glass : 60 x 43 cm

This beautiful study of a naked man seen from behind is characteristic of the energy and style of the mid-18th-century Rococo period.
The influence of artists such as François Boucher (1703–1770) is clearly discernible.
This is undoubtedly a study from life, as can be seen from the realistic depiction of the model's muscles and flesh. The artist was interested in the figure's posture, which he intended to include in a painted composition. Another subject of interest to the artist was the interplay of light and shadow. The areas highlighted in white chalk indicate the parts that will be most illuminated, giving relief and animation to the figure.
It is a beautiful testament to the work of an 18th-century artist.