Zittend mannelijk naakt, van opzij gezien (3e prijs 1797) Possibly 1797

Jacobus Wijsman created this red chalk drawing of a nude male in 1797. He won third prize for it. The late 18th century was a time of revolution and shifting social structures. This piece exists within a longer history of the male nude as a subject of artistic study and admiration. However, here, the model is not a god or hero, but an ordinary man, seated and contemplative. His gaze is directed downwards, creating a sense of introspection. The use of red chalk gives the figure a warm, human presence. How does the model's averted gaze and relaxed posture invite us to consider the complexities of masculinity beyond the heroic ideal? What does it mean to present the male body in a moment of quiet vulnerability, and how does this challenge traditional representations? Wijsman's drawing provides a space to reflect on changing notions of identity, representation, and the human condition.