Zittend mannelijk naakt, op de rug gezien (2e prijs 1787) Possibly 1788

This is Hendrik de Flines's 1787 pencil drawing, "Zittend mannelijk naakt, op de rug gezien". The play of light and shadow across the subject’s back immediately catches the eye. The artist uses soft, delicate lines to model the muscles, creating a sense of depth and volume. De Flines presents us with more than just a nude figure. The subject's pose, with one arm extended upwards, directs our gaze beyond the immediate scene. This upward gesture, combined with the figure's turned head, implies a narrative or an unseen presence. The cubic form upon which the figure sits provides a stable grounding, contrasting with the dynamic tension in the body's pose. Note how the artist uses the interplay of light and shadow to accentuate the contours of the body, transforming the figure into a study of form and movement. This interplay embodies a deeper exploration of classical ideals, reinterpreted through the lens of Enlightenment-era artistic values.