Life Drawing of a Male Nude with a cane

Adolphe Valette 1876 - 1942

Summary

Study of a nude male holding a cane in his left hand which he points down at the floor. The male has his back to the viewer and leans down to the right of the picture in the direction of the cane. Adolphe Valette excelled at drawing the male nude and here the focus is on the complex muscular physiogomy of the body and modelling the figure using strong 'chiaroscuro', the contrast of light and shade. He was appointed to the Manchester School of Art specifically to teach life drawing from the nude model, a key element of academic art training. Partly because of his limited knowledge of English, Valette chose to teach by example rather than lecturing and would often sit among his students to draw. This drawing may be a demonstration piece to set a standard for students to work towards.

Display Label

Life Drawing of a Male Nude with a Cane about 1910-12 Adolphe Valette 1876-1942 Black chalk and graphite on paper At the Manchester School of Art Valette was appointed specifically to teach drawing from the nude model, a key element of academic art training. Partly because of his limited knowledge of English, Valette chose to teach by example rather than lecturing and would often sit among his students to draw. Valette particularly excelled at drawing the male nude and the complex muscular arrangements of the back, a skill which is clearly demonstrated this work. Purchased with financial assistance from the MGC/V& A Purchase Grant Fund, the National Art Collections Fund and The Friends of Manchester City Galleries 1996.28