Zittende vrouwenfiguur

The work Zittende vrouwenfiguur is a highly refined figure study by the influential French classical master, Nicolas Poussin, executed between 1642 and 1644. As a foundational piece of 17th-century European draftsmanship, this drawing is primarily executed in ink on paper, utilizing precise line work and subtle washes to define form and volume. Poussin, who spent the vast majority of his career in Rome, channeled his deep knowledge of classical sculpture and ancient Roman art into his figures, a characteristic evident in the structured pose and carefully rendered drapery of this subject.

This specific drawing serves as a crucial insight into Poussin’s working methodology during his mature period. The focus is solely on the seated female figure, meticulously detailing the posture and the natural fall of the cloth. Unlike quick sketches, the precise application of ink suggests this was likely a preparatory study intended to finalize the pose and structure of a figure before its inclusion in a complex narrative or historical painting. Poussin’s unwavering dedication to classical ideals of clarity, restraint, and order is powerfully communicated through the economical but effective use of line and shading.

The Rijksmuseum houses this valuable Poussin drawing, reinforcing its significance as an essential work for understanding the artist's creative process. Dated to the period when Poussin was producing major canvases, studies like Zittende vrouwenfiguur inform our interpretation of his mature style. Though the original remains a delicate study on paper, its placement in the public domain ensures that researchers and students worldwide can examine Poussin’s mastery of the figure. High-quality prints derived from the museum’s digitized collection allow broad access to this crucial preparatory work.