Study of a Male Nude 1858

Edgar Degas made this pencil drawing called, "Study of a Male Nude," in 1857. Degas came of age in a time when the male nude had become a traditional subject of academic art. However, this study invites us to consider the intersections of class and gender in 19th-century art. Degas’s model is not an idealized, muscular hero of mythology. The model has an everyday, sensual vulnerability, which is accentuated by Degas’s rendering of light and shadow, revealing the contours of his body. The raised fist suggests power, but his gaze evokes a sense of longing. By focusing on the intimate details of the model’s form, Degas challenges conventional representations of masculinity. The drawing suggests a shift towards a more emotionally nuanced portrayal of men in art, capturing a sense of self-awareness. This piece remains evocative, compelling us to think about the diverse experiences and identities within the human form.