Roman Statue of a Standing Woman

Roman Statue of a Standing Woman is a masterful drawing by Jacques-Louis David, executed in red chalk with brown wash on laid paper. This early study showcases the intensive classical focus inherent in French academic training, a prerequisite for artists transitioning toward the rigorous standards of Neoclassicism. Although David (1748-1825) would later become the most prominent painter of the French Revolution and Napoleonic eras, his formative development required the intensive study and copying of antique sculpture, mirroring the subject depicted here.

The careful application of media demonstrates technical precision. The red chalk captures the texture and profile of the statue, while the brown wash is skillfully applied to create deep shadow and volume. This technique transforms the two-dimensional rendering into a convincing sculptural study, emphasizing strong chiaroscuro and the idealized form of the standing woman in a contrapposto pose.

The tradition of copying classical statuary was essential for aspiring artists in the eighteenth century, grounding them in idealized anatomy and proportion. This work aligns culturally with the emphasis on rational form that characterized the shift in French art away from Rococo exuberance toward classical severity. While the artist’s prolific career extended well into the 19th century, this academic drawing is generally classified within the 1726 to 1750 period of artistic methodology, reflecting the conservative academic standards of the era during which David received his early instruction.

This drawing is highly valued both as an example of academic pedagogy and as a record of David’s nascent draughtsmanship. The figure’s stance and the rendering of the drapery folds illustrate the principles David would carry forward into his grand history paintings. Currently held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C., this piece stands as a foundational record of the artist’s development. As a significant historical drawing, high-resolution prints are sometimes offered through public domain initiatives, ensuring wider access to the preparatory elements of French Neoclassicism.