Seated Gentleman

Seated Gentleman is a preparatory drawing created by Jacques Louis David between 1807 and 1813, a period when the Neoclassical master was dominating French art under the Napoleonic regime. This fundamental study in black chalk on paper is notably squared for transfer, a technical step indicating that the drawing was intended to be scaled up precisely onto a larger surface, likely a canvas for a finished painting or portrait. The work resides in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

The subject is an unidentified man seated, rendered with the precise draftsmanship characteristic of David's school. Even in this functional sketch, David employs black chalk with authority, focusing on the careful contours of the figure and using shadow to establish volume, highlighting the textures of the gentleman’s coat and trousers. This rigorous approach to the human form reflects the emphasis on classical ideals that defined Neoclassicism.

Though the artist is renowned for his monumental historical paintings, David produced countless such life studies of men to refine compositions and master individual poses before committing to oil on canvas. The visibly gridded lines transform this simple sketch into an essential document of the artist’s studio practice. As an influential piece of early 19th-century French draftsmanship, Seated Gentleman is vital for understanding the preparatory stages of major commissions. High-resolution images and prints of this historical work are widely accessible via public domain resources, allowing students and enthusiasts worldwide to study David’s masterful technique.