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French, 'An Académie', early 19th century

About the work

This back view of a standing male nude is an académie, which is a study, usually a chalk drawing or an oil painting, made from a live male model in the studio. It is one of two académies in the National Gallery’s collection.

Such life studies formed part of the classical training of (male) artists from the eighteenth to the mid-nineteenth century, particularly in France. This example is almost certainly French and probably dates from the early nineteenth century. It is falsely signed: david 1805. Although not by David, it may be by a student in his studio, but it has not been possible to confirm this.

Models typically held ‘action’ poses, in part to display the musculature beneath the skin. A slightly raised foot was frequently a feature of these poses because, as here, it helped reveal the muscles of the lower leg. This model’s props – a shield, a spear and a helmet – are ones that were often used in these studies.

Key facts

Full title
An Académie
Artist
French
Date made
early 19th century
Medium and support
oil on canvas
Dimensions
80.6 × 64.8 cm
Inscription summary
Signed
Acquisition credit
Sir Claude Phillips Bequest, 1924
Inventory number
NG4061
Location
Not on display
Collection
Main Collection

About this record

If you know more about this painting or have spotted an error, please contact us. Please note that exhibition histories are listed from 2009 onwards. Bibliographies may not be complete; more comprehensive information is available in the National Gallery Library.

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