Liggende naakte man; zijn been nog eens afzonderlijk

The drawing Liggende naakte man; zijn been nog eens afzonderlijk by Eugène Delacroix is a powerful example of the artist’s lifelong dedication to studying the complexities of the human form. Executed in pencil on tracing paper, this anatomical study depicts a reclining nude male figure whose posture is analyzed in sharp detail. The title specifically references the unusual inclusion of the man's right leg, which is meticulously drawn again in isolation alongside the main composition, suggesting an intensely focused analysis of musculature and structure, characteristic of academic training.

Created during the period of Delacroix’s early development (1808-1863), this work underscores the rigorous preparation required of a major figure in French Romanticism. Although Delacroix is best known for the dramatic color and emotional intensity of paintings like Liberty Leading the People, his mastery relied heavily on preparatory studies and life drawings such as this one. The medium of tracing paper implies that this sketch may have served as a transfer study or a modello, allowing Delacroix to rapidly integrate this studied pose into subsequent, larger historical or mythological compositions. The precision of the pencil work captures the weight and tension of the body with great sensitivity.

This significant drawing resides in the prestigious collection of the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, forming part of the museum’s essential holdings of nineteenth-century European master drawings. Recognizing the cultural and educational value of such primary source material, high-resolution images and prints of this historical work are often made available through public domain initiatives, ensuring continued scholarly access to Delacroix's foundational academic studies.