Study after Michelangelo (1790) by Jacques-Louis David

Study after Michelangelo - Jacques-Louis David - 1790

Artwork Information

TitleStudy after Michelangelo
ArtistJacques-Louis David
Date1790
Mediumchalk
Dimensions180 x 110 cm
Art MovementNeoclassicism

About Study after Michelangelo

The artwork titled “Study after Michelangelo” is a creative endeavor by the artist Jacques-Louis David, crafted with chalk in 1790. As an embodiment of the Neoclassical art movement, it presents itself as a sketch and study, with generous dimensions of 180 x 110 cm. The artwork pays homage to the Renaissance master Michelangelo through its form and technique.

Upon examination, the artwork reveals a human figure in dynamic contrapposto, the muscular anatomy expressed with precision reminiscent of Michelangelo’s own fascination with the human form. The figure is captured in the midst of what appears to be a strenuous twist, the torso turned and flexed, displaying an intricate play of light and shadow that accentuates the contours of muscles and tendons.

Subtle but confident chalk strokes delineate the figure, evoking movement and tension within the composition. The absence of color, common in such preparatory works, invites the viewer to focus solely on the form and its structural elegance. Various annotations, possibly denoting observations or measurements, accompany the sketch, revealing the analytical process of the artist while emulating the grandeur of Michelangelo’s artistry.

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