Study No. 2 (Standing Male Nude Seen from Back)

Cleveland artist William Van Duzer probably created this graphite drawing featuring the rear view of a nude male during a life drawing class. The model’s pose, contours, and prominent muscles evoke Michelangelo’s David. Perhaps Van Duzer combined his sketch from a live model with his knowledge of Michelangelo’s sculpture, gained from a visit to Italy or from photographs.