Mannelijk naakt, liggend op de zij, naar rechts 1726

Louis Fabritius Dubourg made this drawing of a male nude in the 1700s, using pen and brown ink on paper. Look closely at the hatching and cross-hatching he employs to build up tone. Notice how the direction and density of these hand-drawn lines shape the figure and create a sense of volume. Drawing was a fundamental skill at this time. A means of both exploring form and representing the world. The controlled application of ink requires precision and control. You can see how Dubourg carefully layered the lines to create the illusion of light and shadow. This technique is deeply rooted in the traditions of academic art. The materiality of the ink and paper, combined with the artist’s skillful hand, result in an image that is both classical in its subject matter and immediate in its execution. Considering the materials and processes used to create it reveals the skill and labor involved in its creation.