Staand mannelijk naakt, op de rug gezien (1e prijs 1771) - Cornelis Buys

A prize-winning academic figure study in red chalk by Cornelis Buys, depicting a male nude from the rear, created in 1771.

This academic figure study, executed in red chalk, represents a standard exercise in the training of eighteenth-century artists. The work, titled 'Staand mannelijk naakt, op de rug gezien', earned Cornelis Buys the first prize in 1771. Such drawings were produced within the context of formal art academies, where students spent hours observing live models to master human anatomy, musculature, and the play of light across the body.

The composition focuses on the male form from a rear perspective. The figure is shown standing, with one arm raised to support his weight against a vertical surface. This pose allows the artist to examine the tension in the shoulder blades, the curve of the spine, and the definition of the gluteal and leg muscles. The use of red chalk, or sanguine, is characteristic of the period, allowing for subtle gradations of tone and soft modelling of the skin. The background is filled with diagonal hatching, which pushes the figure forward and provides a sense of volume without the need for complex environmental detail.

Buys demonstrates a clear understanding of anatomical structure. The lines are precise, reflecting the disciplined approach required by the academy. The inscription at the top, 'Primum Praemium', confirms the work's status as a prize-winning entry, documenting the artist's early proficiency. The drawing serves as a record of the rigorous technical standards maintained by Dutch art institutions during the late eighteenth century. It remains a clear example of the academic tradition, where the study of the nude was the primary method for developing the skills necessary for history painting and other elevated genres of the time.