Classical Sculpture of a Woman with an Outstretched Arm

"Classical Sculpture of a Woman with an Outstretched Arm," by Jacques-Louis David, is a seminal drawing created between 1775 and 1780. Executed with technical precision in black ink and gray wash over delicate traces of graphite on laid paper, this work documents David’s intensive academic study of classical forms. The drawing reflects the cultural milieu of the French artistic period spanning 1751 to 1775, where rigorous academic preparation and deep reverence for antiquity were essential prerequisites for emerging artists.

David's focus on a solitary female figure emphasizes fundamental elements of Neoclassicism: volume, drapery, and idealized anatomical form. As a French artist who spent significant time in Rome during his formative years, David rigorously studied ancient sculpture, utilizing such preparatory drawings to hone his powerful sense of structure and light. The application of the gray wash technique effectively mimics the shadows and highlights inherent in three-dimensional marble statuary, granting the two-dimensional drawing a profound sculptural quality. This meticulous approach was foundational to the aesthetic standards fostered within the French Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture.

This exceptional example of David’s drawing practice is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art, offering insight into the preparatory stages of his mature Neoclassical style. While the original drawing is a unique artifact, its significance in the history of art has allowed for its widespread study. As part of efforts to make historical drawings accessible, high-quality prints derived from this masterwork are often made available through public domain collections. David’s unwavering commitment to the ideals of classical antiquity informed not only his monumental history paintings but also secured his legacy as the leading artistic voice of the late eighteenth century.