Seated Nude Man, Seen from Behind, Pulling a Rope

c. 1760

Gilles Demarteau, the Elder after Carle Van Loo

Associated Names
Gilles Demarteau the Elder

Artist, French, 1722 - 1776

Carle Van Loo

Artist After, French, 1705 - 1765

The image displays a nude male figure seated with his back towards the viewer. He is in a relaxed, seated position on a textured surface, possibly a blanket or draped cloth. His left arm is bent with the elbow resting on his thigh, and his left hand is holding a tool against his left foot. The man's facial features are mainly in profile, with short, wavy hair and a clear outline of his jaw. The lighting emphasizes the musculature of his back and limbs. There is no visible jewelry or additional objects in his hands, apart from the tool. The background features a cross-hatched shading technique, creating a simple, abstract texture that contrasts with the detailed rendering of the human figure.

Media Options

This object’s media is free and in the public domain. Read our full Open Access policy for images.

Artwork overview

  • Medium

    chalk manner printed in red-brown on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Ellwanger/Mescha Collection

  • Dimensions

    plate: 39.7 x 53.2 cm (15 5/8 x 20 15/16 in.)
    sheet: 46 × 58.6 cm (18 1/8 × 23 1/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    2017.19.39

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Leymarie 1896, no. 30


Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Mr. A. Thompson Ellwanger III and Mr. Gregory E. Mescha, Baltimore; bequest to NGA, 2017.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

2003

  • Colorful Impressions: The Printmaking Revolution in Eighteenth-Century France, National Gallery of Art, Washington, 2003-2004, no. 6.

Bibliography

1896

  • Leymarie, L. de. L'Oeuvre de Gilles Demarteau l'aine graveur du roi, catalogue descriptif. Paris: Georges Rapilly, 1896: no. 30.

2003

  • Colorful Impressions: The Printmaking Revolution in Eighteenth-Century France. Exh. cat. National Gallery of Art, Washington, 2003-2004: no. 6.

Inscriptions

upper left in plate: No. 30; lower left in plate: Carle Vanloo f.; lower center in plate: Paris chez demarteau Rue de la Pelterie a la Cloche C. P. P.; lower right in plate: Demarteau l'ne Sculp.; by later hand, lower center in red chalk: O. F

Wikidata ID

Q76341179

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