Study of a Seated Nude Male 

Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres created this study of a seated nude male using graphite on paper. Ingres was a master draughtsman, and this work gives us a glimpse into his process. The material itself, graphite, is interesting; it's a relatively soft mineral, which allows for a wide range of tonal variation. You can see how Ingres has exploited this quality to create subtle gradations of light and shadow across the figure's body, and how the drawing appears quite raw, sketched, and unfinished. The layered lines speak to the labor of observation, the artist's hand moving and adjusting, searching for the ideal form. This kind of drawing, though seemingly simple in its materials, was the foundation upon which Ingres built his celebrated paintings. It reminds us that even the most polished artworks are rooted in a process of making, a testament to the artist's skill and dedication.