The drawing Man Kneeling With Jug (recto); Standing Man (verso), attributed to possibly Nicolas Poussin French, 1594-1665, offers a compelling glimpse into 17th-century figural studies. Executed on brown laid paper, the work uses black chalk, enhanced by strategic touches of white chalk, creating volumetric form through subtle highlights and shadow. This technique emphasizes the dramatic poses of the figures sketched on both sides of the sheet. The recto features a kneeling male figure holding a jug, likely a preparatory study for a larger historical or mythological narrative, a common practice for artists working in France during the Baroque period.
The versatile use of chalk on this sheet reflects the period's emphasis on rapid figure composition and disegno. On the verso, the depiction of the standing man is looser but demonstrates Poussin's characteristic interest in classical composition and the idealized human form, even in these quick sketches. Though the precise dating spans 1614-1665, encompassing the height of the artist's influential career, the drawing style is consistent with the rigorous draftsmanship associated with Poussin. This piece is classified simply as a drawing and serves as an important record of the French master's working method. It is currently part of the esteemed collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. High-resolution images of the artwork are often made available through museum resources, allowing enthusiasts and students globally to access detailed views of this drawing, many of which now fall into the public domain for research and study.
Important: ArtBee makes no warranties about the copyright status of this artwork. To the best of our knowledge, based on information from the source museum, we believe this work is in the public domain.
You are responsible for determining the rights status and securing any permissions needed for your use. Copyright status may vary by jurisdiction. See our License & Usage page and Terms of Service for details.