Standing Nude Male with Face in Profile

Art Historical Context

Created around 1873–77, this graphite drawing by Sir Edward Burne-Jones captures a standing male nude in profile with quiet elegance. A leading figure of the Pre-Raphaelite movement and later the Aesthetic Movement, Burne-Jones frequently turned to the human figure as a vehicle for exploring ideals of beauty, symbolism, and classical harmony. Rendered on smooth ivory wove paper, the delicate graphite lines reveal his meticulous attention to contour and subtle modeling of form. Though modest in scale—measuring just 10 by 7 inches—the work reflects Burne-Jones’s lifelong practice of producing detailed studies in preparation for larger paintings. The profile view and poised stance evoke both Renaissance drawing traditions and the artist’s interest in medieval and mythological subjects. Such drawings allowed him to refine the graceful, elongated figures that became hallmarks of his style. Now part of the Art Institute of Chicago’s Prints and Drawings collection, this piece offers visitors an intimate glimpse into the creative process of one of Victorian Britain’s most poetic artists.

About the Artist

Sir Edward Burne-Jones · 1833–1898

Edward Coley Burne-Jones was born on 28 August 1833 in Birmingham, the son of a frame-maker, and lost his mother within a week of his birth. He attended King Edward VI Grammar School and the Birmingham School of Art before proceeding to Exeter College, Oxford, in 1852, intending to study theology. At Oxford he formed a lifelong friendship with William Morris, and the two young men became intoxicat...