Female Nude 1800

Here is the audio guide script for the given artwork: This drawing of a female nude was made by Pierre-Paul Prud'hon around the turn of the 19th century, using charcoal and chalk. It’s a study, really, a preparation for a painting. And when you look closely, you can really see the artist working through the form. See how he used the charcoal to create deep shadows, giving weight and volume to the figure? And the chalk is blended softly, almost like smoke, to give a sense of light and air. It is a very physical, sensual drawing. Drawings like this show how the artist uses humble materials to explore ideas, working in charcoal and chalk, which are relatively inexpensive and easily manipulated. Prud'hon clearly wants to create a sense of real presence, to bring this figure to life on the page. Consider the amount of work involved in mastering these techniques. It is a reminder that even in the age of mass production, the individual touch of the artist remains essential. The meaning is made, not found.