Mandlig nøgenmodel set skråt bagfra 1890

Theodor Philipsen made this drawing of a male nude, from a three-quarter back view, using graphite on paper. Graphite pencils are an interesting material. Though they seem simple enough, they rose to prominence with the emergence of industrial capitalism. Before mass manufacture, graphite came from specific sources, making it a precious commodity. The texture, weight and colour of the drawing reveal the smooth marks possible with this medium. Philipsen built up tone and shadow by layering the strokes, paying close attention to the fall of light on the model’s body. While we might typically think of drawing as a preliminary step to a finished painting or sculpture, it is important to recognize the labour involved in making this study. Philipsen clearly saw value in the process, capturing the essence of the human form with what seems like an economy of means. By taking making seriously, we can appreciate the skill and intentionality that went into this work.