A Male Nude, Half Reclining 1622 - 1624

Matteo Rosselli made this drawing of a male nude with red chalk on paper in the late 16th or early 17th century. Chalk is a readily available material, but it’s also capable of great subtlety. Notice the finely hatched lines Rosselli used to model the figure’s torso, conveying the play of light and shadow. Red chalk, in particular, has a warmth that mimics the flush of skin, making it a favorite for anatomical studies like this one. Rosselli would have used this drawing as a study aid for his larger paintings, where this figure might appear as part of a larger composition. Think of the labor involved: finding a model, posing them, and then meticulously rendering their form on paper. This drawing isn’t just a representation of a body; it's a record of a sustained encounter, a testament to the artist’s skill, and of the sitter’s endurance. It prompts us to consider the human effort behind every work of art.