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Male nude lying on his back

Maker

(artist)
1710-1788

Title

Male nude lying on his back

Date of Production

(circa) 1730 - 1737

Medium

graphite on laid paper

Dimensions

Height: 23.5 cm
Width: 18.7 cm

Accession Number

D.1952.RW.981

Mode of Acquisition

Robert Clermont Witt, bequest, 1952

Credit

The Courtauld, London (Samuel Courtauld Trust)

Copyright

Work in the public domain

Location

Not currently on display

Keywords

Label Text

This drawing is thought to have been made whilst the artist was studying in Italy. Life drawing, a well-established tradition in Italian academies, became during the 18th century an increasingly important aspect of the training of British artists. The practice of communal drawing by groups of artists sitting around a posed naked figure was vital in developing a sense of community and common purpose amongst British artists, and ultimately their sense of belonging to a 'national school'. The awkward and presumably uncomfortable pose of this model shows one aim of the life class: forcing students to tackle difficult problems such as foreshortening.

Provenance

Charles Noel, 1st Earl Gainsborough (1781-1866) (according to Witt card); Christie's (London); purchased there by Sir Robert Witt, London (1872-1952), L.2228b, n.d. (£2); Witt Bequest 1952

Exhibition History

The Artist's Model - From Etty to Spencer, Djanogly Art Gallery, Nottingham, 16/10/1999-12/12/1999

The Artist's Model - From Etty to Spencer, Kenwood House, London, 22/07/1999-26/09/1999

The Artist's Model - From Etty to Spencer, York City Art Gallery, York, 29/05/1999-11/07/1999 ...More

Neo-Classical Drawings, The Courtauld Gallery, London, November 1972-December 1972 ...Less

Literature

The Artist's Model: its role in British Art from Lely to Etty, Nottingham University Art Gallery; Iveagh Bequest, Kenwood, 1991
no. 44

Blunt, Anthony, Hand-list of the drawings in the Witt Collection, London, 1956
p. 28

Inscriptions

Watermark: Watermark: none.

Inscription: Mount (removed, cut down and now in object file): graphite: "P. Hussey_"; graphite: “14.".

Collector's mark: Mount (removed, cut down and now in object file): stamped in black: Sir Robert Witt (L.2228b).

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