Staande naakte man met stok c. 1645 - 1706

This is an undated drawing made by an anonymous artist, entitled, “Standing naked man with a staff,” and held at the Rijksmuseum. Here we see an academic study of the male nude form, a practice deeply embedded in the traditions of Western art. But what does it mean to depict the male body in such a way? Is it an objective observation of anatomy, or is it loaded with cultural values and power dynamics? Think about how ideas of masculinity, strength, and beauty are constructed through images like these. The drawing invites us to consider the role of the male gaze in art history and how it has shaped our understanding of gender and sexuality. What does this image tell us about the artist, the model, and the society in which it was created? How do our own experiences and identities influence the way we see it today?