Staand mannelijk naakt, van voren gezien (2e prijs 1784) Possibly 1784

Willem de Jong created this red chalk drawing of a standing male nude in 1784. The figure dominates the composition, its anatomical accuracy and subtle shading giving it a sculptural presence against the blank backdrop. De Jong's use of line and shadow creates a dynamic interplay, emphasizing the musculature and contours of the body. The subject's pose, with one arm raised and the other resting on a pedestal, evokes classical ideals of heroism and strength, yet it also projects a sense of vulnerability. The red chalk medium gives the figure a warm, lifelike quality, enhancing its sensual appeal. The artist's technique reflects the academic training of the period, where the study of the nude was central to artistic development. This drawing serves not only as a representation of the human form but also as an exploration of the aesthetic and expressive possibilities inherent in the medium of drawing.