Academic Nude Study of a Seated Male 

Andrea Sacchi created this academic nude study of a seated male using red chalk. Born in Rome in 1599, Sacchi was a leading painter during the Roman High Baroque. Nude studies like this one reflect the period’s interest in classical forms and the idealization of the human body. Yet the depiction also reveals the power dynamics inherent in the act of observation, where the male form is presented as an object of study, often reinforcing traditional gender roles. Sacchi’s choice to use red chalk, a medium prized for its ability to capture the subtleties of human form, enhances the figure's sensuality and depth. As you reflect on this drawing, consider how our understanding of beauty, gender, and representation has evolved. What does it mean to see this nude male figure through a contemporary lens, acknowledging both the artistic skill and the social context in which it was created?