Youth with Arms Upraised
Original title: Youth with Arms Upraised
kurzbeschreibung
Edgar Degas drew this nude youthful body in a lively pose, dating from 1859–60 or 1861–62. Executed in black chalk over pencil on fine beige paper, the boy raises both arms while his legs form a wide stance.
Description
A nude youth appears with arms stretched high, hands brought together. The legs stand far apart, the head tilts slightly back, and the face remains hidden. Contours and shading are set precisely with black chalk and pencil on beige paper. In the lower left is the signature 'Eugène' in red.
Context
This study was made during Degas's training years in the late 1850s and early 1860s, likely from a live model. The signature 'Eugène' points to an early phase when Degas was still trying out different name variants. The sheet belongs to a series of nude studies with which the artist captured anatomy and movement.
Impact
The animated pose and precise linework give the drawing an immediate, almost sculptural presence. Because everything remains in black and white and the fine paper texture plays along, a calm, collected mood emerges that directs the gaze to the body's posture.
Technique
Black chalk, applied over pencil on fine beige paper, shapes the drawing. The interplay of chalk and pencil allows contour and shading to be finely graded, making the muscle areas of the youthful body stand out plastically.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)