Zittend mannelijk naakt, van voren gezien (3e prijs 1805) Possibly 1805

"Zittend mannelijk naakt, van voren gezien (3e prijs 1805)" or "Seated Male Nude, Front View (3rd prize 1805)" is a drawing made by Abraham Johannes Ruytenschildt in 1805. This work gives us a glimpse into the artistic training of the early 19th century. Ruytenschildt, winning third prize for this nude, was working within a tradition that prized the male nude as the apex of artistic skill and ideal beauty. Yet, when we look at this idealized form, we might consider whose bodies were excluded from this definition of beauty. Were the bodies of working-class men, of men of color, or men with disabilities ever represented in this way? This drawing invites us to consider the power dynamics inherent in the act of representation, and how societal values shape our perceptions of beauty and worth. The male nude as a symbol of power and virility reflects a specific moment in time, while simultaneously inviting questions about the bodies and identities that are marginalized within such a framework.