Standing Male Nude

"Standing Male Nude" by Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot (French, 1796-1875), executed in 1843, is a superb example of figure study from the mid-nineteenth century. The work, classified as a drawing, was created using graphite with sophisticated stumping techniques applied to greenish ivory laid paper. This unusual paper color provides a warm, tinted ground, allowing the cool, dark graphite to define the contours and musculature of the standing figure with clarity. Corot’s skilled deployment of stumping—a technique involving rubbing the medium to blend and soften lines—ensures nuanced modeling of the torso and limbs, giving the figure a volumetric presence essential to academic art.

Although Corot is most recognized for his pioneering work in landscape painting, his rigorous foundation in classical draftsmanship remained central to his artistic practice. The drawing of the male nude was a foundational exercise within the French Académie des Beaux-Arts, crucial for mastering the representation of human anatomy and structure. This study, likely completed in the studio from a live model, demonstrates Corot’s deep understanding of form required for advanced composition.

This piece exemplifies the quality of academic draftsmanship prevalent in 19th-century France. It forms part of the distinguished collection of drawings held by the Art Institute of Chicago, providing scholars and the public an intimate view into the foundational studies of the master. While the original drawing is a unique artifact housed by the museum, high-quality digital reproductions, often made available through public domain initiatives, allow enthusiasts worldwide to study Corot’s masterful approach to the human form.