Bernard Picart
1673-1733
Man Seated on a Block, Holding a Staff and Leaning his Head in his Hand
1720
15 7/8 x 18 3/8 inches (402 x 469 mm)
Red chalk on paper.
III, 85f
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan (1837-1913) in 1909.
Notes
Picart continued to produce studies from the live model, called academies, long past his student days and until the end of his career. These later drawings, made in the 1720s, showcase his mastery, offering a range of dynamic poses using studio props such as a staff but with the indication of a broader setting. Picart led a busy studio and such model studies were used by his students, who would copy from Picart's drawn figures before drawing directly from the model themselves.
Inscriptions/Markings
Signed and dated at lower right, "B. Picart f./1720".
Associated names
MacGowan, John, -1803, former owner.
Murray, Charles Fairfax, 1849-1919, former owner.
Morgan, J. Pierpont (John Pierpont), 1837-1913, former owner.
Murray, Charles Fairfax, 1849-1919, former owner.
Morgan, J. Pierpont (John Pierpont), 1837-1913, former owner.
Artist
Classification
Century Drawings
School
Catalog link
Department