Male Nude Leaning on His Elbow (verso)

Male Nude Leaning on His Elbow (verso) by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, dating from 1752-1753, is a superb example of the Italian artist’s draftsmanship late in his career. Classified as an Old Master drawing, this preparatory study utilizes a sophisticated and visually rich technique: red chalk heightened with white chalk applied directly to blue laid paper. This methodology, favored by many 18th-century masters, allows the natural blue tone of the paper to serve as a luminous middle ground, dramatically intensifying the contrast created by the dense, warm red chalk contouring and the sharp, bright white highlights that define the figure’s musculature.

The subject depicts a male figure study, undoubtedly drawn from a live model in the academy, focusing on anatomical fidelity and challenging posture as the figure leans casually on his elbow. Such academic studies were essential elements of preparation for the monumental fresco cycles and large-scale oil paintings that defined Tiepolo’s prolific output across Europe during the 1751 to 1775 period. The artist’s masterful handling of the chalk medium captures the weight and texture of the human form, suggesting depth and volume with economical, yet precisely placed, strokes that emphasize the effects of light and shadow.

This powerful study is held within the esteemed collection of the National Gallery of Art, where it helps illustrate the central role that drawing played in 18th-century Venetian artistic production. As a key work by Tiepolo, the drawing often features prominently in scholarly discussions of late Baroque and Rococo styles. High-quality prints and digital reproductions of this work are frequently made available through public domain initiatives, ensuring widespread access for researchers and enthusiasts worldwide.