Staand mannelijk naakt, met pijl en boog 1874 - 1925

This is Jan Veth's sketch of a standing nude male with bow and arrow. It is currently housed in the Rijksmuseum. Veth was a Dutch artist active at the turn of the century, a period marked by shifts in societal norms and artistic expression. The sketch offers a glimpse into the era's fascination with classical forms, infused with emerging ideals around masculinity. The male nude with bow and arrow is a classic subject but also raises questions about the construction of gender and power. How does Veth navigate the tension between vulnerability and strength? How does this depiction challenge or reinforce stereotypes, particularly concerning the male form? Veth's work invites us to contemplate not only the aesthetic beauty of the human body, but also the underlying social and cultural values that shape its representation. The image feels like a challenge to how we see both art and ourselves.