A Full Size Écorché Study of a Hound 1821

Charles Landseer made this full-size study of a hound in the 19th century, using pencil and red chalk on paper. The drawing is an écorché, meaning “flayed” in French, a study of a figure with the skin removed to reveal the musculature. The use of red chalk emphasizes the raw, exposed quality of the hound's anatomy. Notice how Landseer meticulously renders each muscle fiber, capturing the texture and volume of the animal’s form. Drawings like these were vital for artists seeking to master anatomical accuracy, a skill highly valued in academic art. This intense study was a key element in art education. But beyond its practical purpose, the drawing also has a visceral power. The exposed muscles and tendons speak to the labor involved in representing the natural world so precisely. Ultimately, Landseer's study reminds us that art is not just about the final image, but also about the rigorous process and skilled labor behind it.