Female Nude Reclining with Arm Raised c. 1665

Aert de Gelder, Rembrandt’s last pupil, made this drawing in pen and brown ink in the late 17th or early 18th century. At first glance, the figure may be perceived as a traditional, passive nude, typical of the period. Yet, the woman's gaze and active posture offer a more complex narrative. Her raised arm and direct, almost challenging stare confront the viewer, disrupting the usual dynamic of the observed and the observer. This shift can be understood as a move away from traditional, objectified representations of women. De Gelder’s choice to depict her with such directness invites us to consider the individual agency and presence of the model. The drawing, therefore, is not just an exercise in form but an assertion of identity.