Study for a right leg 1467 - 1633

This drawing of a right leg was made with a red chalk by an unknown artist. The absence of an artist’s name invites us to think about the role of art academies in shaping artistic careers. In the past, the study of anatomy through drawings like this was a vital component of artistic training. Art academies, prominent in Europe from the 16th century onwards, saw the human body as the most important subject to study. The nude model became a focus of academic training and this is most evident through surviving drawings. These academies taught students how to represent the ideal human form, drawing on classical Greek and Roman sculpture for inspiration. To understand the context of drawings like this, we might consult archival records of art academies, anatomical treatises, and other drawings produced in academic settings. We then see the history of art is interwoven with the history of education, science, and social values.