Ovid's "The Art of Love" ("L'art d'aimer" d'Ovide) 1935

Aristide Maillol created this drawing, "Ovid's 'The Art of Love'", using sanguine, a reddish chalk. Notice the figure’s smooth, continuous curves and softly modeled form, conveying a sense of serene monumentality. Maillol was deeply influenced by classical sculpture, which is clear in the way he simplified and idealized the human form. The drawing exemplifies the emphasis on volume and simplified forms that countered the more decorative styles of his time. The strategic use of hatching and shading gives depth, suggesting a tactile quality. This technique not only defines the contours but also suggests the play of light across the figure's skin. The choice of sanguine enhances the work's classical feel, reminiscent of Renaissance drawings. In its form and materiality, the piece encourages a contemplation of beauty that is rooted in the physical and the classical. It invites an ongoing dialogue between form and content, and it continues to engage viewers with its quietly powerful presence.