Study of a Nude Young Girl
Medium
Brush and brown wash over black chalk
Dimensions
4 x 5 3/8 in. (10.2 x 13.7 cm)
Classification
Drawings
Department
Drawings and Prints
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Bequest of Scofield Thayer, 1982
Accession Number
1984.433.268
Tags
Art Historical Context
August Xaver Karl von Petkofen (1822–1889), a prominent artist of the Biedermeier and early Realist movements, created this intimate *Study of a Nude Girl* during his prolific career capturing everyday Viennese life. Known for his sensitive portrayals of children and working-class scenes, Pettenkofen often turned to preparatory drawings like this one to explore form and emotion with remarkable tenderness. Dating to the mid-19th, the work reflects the academic tradition of life studies, where artists honed their skills through direct observation of the human figure. Executed in brush and brown...