“Studies of a Nude Youth” is a charcoal sketch created by the esteemed artist John Singer Sargent, renowned for his contributions to the Realism movement. The artwork, categorized under the genre of sketch and study, measures 47.9 x 63.5 cm. Currently, it is housed at the Fogg Museum, part of the Harvard Art Museums in Cambridge, MA, US.
The artwork, executed with precision in charcoal, captures multiple views of a nude male youth in various poses and angles. The fluidity and dynamism of the human form are meticulously detailed, showcasing Sargent’s mastery of anatomy and movement. The figures appear spontaneous and natural, their contours defined by the delicate interplay of light and shadow. The composition highlights the artist’s dedication to studying the nuances of the human body, rendering a sense of both vitality and grace. Sargent’s adept use of charcoal provides a textured, almost tangible quality to the sketches, enhancing the realism and immediacy of the observed subject.