Hermaphrodite

The drawing Hermaphrodite by Jacques Louis David, executed in black chalk on paper sometime between 1780 and 1810, exemplifies the academic rigor demanded of artists during the Neoclassical period. This powerful study focuses on the classical subject of the Hermaphrodite, a figure from Greek mythology representing the union of male and female forms. The broad date range places the work early in David’s career, likely corresponding to his training years in Rome or his subsequent establishment as a leading proponent of academic classicism in France.

David utilizes black chalk, a preferred medium for preliminary academic drawings, to render the figure with exceptional volumetric precision. The technique employs strong modeling and defined contour lines, emphasizing anatomical perfection characteristic of the high Neoclassical ideal. The study’s purpose was likely twofold: a meticulous exploration of human anatomy and an exercise in reproducing ancient sculpture, which served as foundational practice for the artist's grander history paintings. This detailed rendering of the dual-sexed individual reflects the period's pervasive fascination with classical forms and mythological narratives that challenge conventional boundaries.

This significant drawing resides within the esteemed collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, where it offers critical insight into David’s preparatory methods. Given the artwork’s age and the museum’s open access policies, the image is often considered part of the public domain, allowing scholars, students, and enthusiasts worldwide to study the artist’s hand directly. High-quality prints derived from this seminal work provide broad access to one of the most important drawing practices of the late eighteenth century.