Unknown French Artist - Study of a Nude Man [c.1816]

Unknown French Artist - Study of a Nude Man [c.1816], a photo by Gandalf's Gallery on Flickr.

A study of a nude model is often called an academy, because such paintings and drawings have been standard exercises in art schools, or academies, since the sixteenth century. This work depicts a particular model who can be seen in this pose in at least two other paintings; all three were thought at one time or another to be painted by Gericault. Only the canvas now in the Musée Bonnat, Bayonne, is widely accepted as being by him. 

The author of this work, like Gericault, was undoubtedly a pupil of Pierre-Narcisse Guérin (1774–1833), in whose studio this work was probably painted. However, it has proven impossible to identify which of Guérin's students painted it or the similar picture now in a private collection.

[Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York - Oil on canvas, 80.6 x 64.1 cm]