Figure Seen from the Back, with Outstretched Arm

Figure Seen from the Back, with Outstretched Arm is a powerful graphite drawing attributed to William Blake (English, 1757-1827) or an artist closely associated with his unique vision. Created during the pivotal years spanning 1795 to 1805, this piece emerged from the fertile ground of English Romanticism, a period characterized by intense spiritual and mythological inquiry. The medium of graphite on cream laid paper allowed for quick, expressive delineation of form, suggesting that this drawing may have functioned as a preparatory study for a larger work, possibly a design intended for one of Blake’s celebrated illuminated books or prints.

The composition focuses intensely on a single, muscular figure observed in a dynamic pose, seen entirely from the rear. The strong, continuous outlines and the figure's elevated, outstretched arm emphasize drama and heroic action, typical features of Blake’s iconography. Unlike prevailing academic styles focused on idealized realism, Blake’s technique prioritizes emotional and spiritual expression, lending the subject a flattened, sculptural quality that echoes classical statuary while simultaneously transcending earthly detail.

This highly expressive work represents the artist’s characteristic preoccupation with visionary bodies and the sublime. While the exact subject remains unidentified, the drawing style is consistent with the preliminary studies Blake produced leading up to the turn of the nineteenth century. The underlying linearity in this piece would have been essential for translation into reproductive prints. This significant drawing from the history of English art is housed in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. Reproductions of this historic work are often available for study, frequently distributed via public domain initiatives.