Academic Male Nude in Semi-Reclining Position (recto and verso) n.d.

Louis de Boullongne, the younger, created this academic study in pen and grey ink wash on paper. The semi-reclining nude dominates the composition through its form, which is rendered in varying tonal gradations of grey. The figure's pose and muscular anatomy are carefully articulated using line, shadow, and light. The academic tradition emphasized rigorous study of classical forms, evident here in the idealized rendering of the male nude, where each body part is delineated with meticulous attention to proportion and musculature. The artist shows a clear understanding of anatomical structure, skillfully representing the play of light and shadow across the figure's body. The nude is positioned in such a way that his body occupies the majority of the picture plane, conveying a sense of monumentality despite the drawing's relatively small scale. The artwork exemplifies the academic approach to figure drawing, underscoring the importance of studying classical forms as a foundation for artistic practice.