Zittend mannelijk naakt, van opzij gezien (1e prijs 1792) Possibly 1792 - 1793

This red chalk drawing of a seated male nude was made by Jacob Smies in 1792. The figure's pose is striking: head resting heavily on his hand, the body coiled in upon itself. This melancholic posture is steeped in art history. The "melancholic man" archetype has its roots in antiquity, often associated with deep thought or sorrow. We see echoes of it in depictions of philosophers or prophets, figures burdened by knowledge or foresight. Think of Michelangelo's figures in the Medici Chapel, their poses conveying a sense of inner turmoil. Even in depictions of Adam and Eve, we see this pose emerge as a response to knowledge and expulsion. This recurring motif speaks to a collective understanding of the human condition. It's a visual shorthand for introspection and the weight of existence, engaging viewers on a subconscious level by tapping into shared cultural memories of grief, contemplation, and the human search for meaning. It's a cycle, constantly returning, re-interpreted through the ages.