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The image shows a nude adult male figure reclining with his back against an elevated surface. His head is tilted upwards, eyes closed, with defined facial features including a prominent nose. He has long, wavy hair and a muscular physique. A white drapery partially covers his mid-section. In the background, there is a detailed depiction of a cloudy sky in fine linework. The artwork is rendered in monochrome sepia tones.
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The image shows a nude adult male figure reclining with his back against an elevated surface. His head is tilted upwards, eyes closed, with defined facial features including a prominent nose. He has long, wavy hair and a muscular physique. A white drapery partially covers his mid-section. In the background, there is a detailed depiction of a cloudy sky in fine linework. The artwork is rendered in monochrome sepia tones.

National Gallery of Art · Drawing

A Reclining Male Nude

Bernard Picart

Date
1723
Medium
red chalk on laid paper
Dimensions
sheet: 34.9 x 49.6 cm (13 3/4 x 19 1/2 in.)
Classification
Drawing
Accession number
2009.70.186
Credit line
Joseph F. McCrindle Collection
Time span
1701 to 1725
Department
CG-E
Original NGA record Wikidata

Subjects and terms

  • Seated figure
  • Fabric
  • Portrait
  • Nature
  • Male nude
Provenance

(F. R. Meatyard, London, by 1962); Theodore Allen Heinrich [1910-1981], Toronto, 1962 (his sale, Christie, Manson & Woods, London, 6 July 1982, lot 221); bought by Joseph F. McCrindle [1923-2008], New York; Joseph F. McCrindle Foundation, 2008; gift to NGA, 2009.

Inscription

by artist, lower left in red chalk: B. Picart f. Mars 1723.; by later hand, lower right in red chalk: 1.; by later hand, lower right verso in red chalk: [vv?]; by later hand, lower left verso in graphite: vv; by later hand, upper right verso in graphite: [12?] (upside down); by later hand, upper right verso in graphite: [2?] (upside down)

NGA object ID 143843. Collection metadata is reproduced under CC0. This work is included because its NGA published-image record is marked open access; visitors should recheck the source record before substantial reuse.