Tito Agujari (1834-1908) Roman Figural Scene - circa 1880

As I started my usual Saturday morning site browse, I found this 19th century preparatory study in watercolor and what really caught my eye was the large amount of action going on within the confines of that mat. Technically not an Academic nude but what it does illustrate in my mind is what an artist does with all of that classical 19th century Academy training he or she received. I am not sure what this scene represents but for me it is exciting and all that action immediately caught my eye. The interplay of human forms, some standing, some sitting, leaning, arms out, along with the application of color to the underdrawing, all adds to the excitement.

Tito Agujari (1834-1908) was an Italian painter and popular drawing instructor in Trieste, where he taught for thirty years. Agujari painted in the academic style, specializing in landscapes, portraits, religious and historical themes, as well as some remarkable watercolors. He was connected to Baron Pasquale Revoltella in Trieste. Enjoy.
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Caption: Roman Scene

Artist: Tito Agujari (1834-1908)

Material: Pencil and watercolor on Paper

Dated: circa 1880

Martin Nicolaus (1870-1945) Badende am Teich (Bathers at the Pond) 1925

Gallery Jacobsa Nurnburg, Germany, has listed a beautifully lyrical "bathing nudes" genre painting in their eBay store. It is a bit out of my league price wise right now after spending mega-bucks (for me that is) for that Baucke bronze but it is still a very nicely done painting reminiscent of the works of Ludwig von Hofmann. Martin Nicolaus (1870-1945) is a well listed German portrait, landscape and figurative painter. He is well represented in many auction houses. The fine folks of Gallery Jacobsa are very knowledgeable, trustworthy, and speak English if you find something in their offerings you like.
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Caption: Badende am Teich

Artist: Martin Nicolaus (1870-1945)

Materials: Oils on Canvas

Dated: 1925

Nude Male Youth (Knabenakt) Studio Drawing circa 1880

I photographed the late 19th century studio drawing of a nude boy. I stripped off the mounting it was in to reveal more of the boy's feet. Although bought from a German dealer, it may be French in origin.

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Recent Figurative Works from Blogspot: "Peintures des Musees de France"

One of the Blogs I follow regularily is "Peintures Musees de France" (highly recommended) which features a travelog of visits to Art Museums, well known and not so well known, throughout France. It is in French but is well worth a visit now and again for a first hand impression of French cultural sites. I found several recent posts of nude figurative works on the blog this afternoon and thought I would share them with you. (All illustrations below are courtsey of Blogspot: Peintures Musees de France.)
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Anonymous - Academie d'eleve a l'Ecole de Mars, avec glaive, toge et bonnet phrygien

Arsene Frederic Lebrun - Femme Nue Debout

Benigne Gagneraux (1756-1795) The Genie of the Arts (1789)

Urbain Basset - The Genie of Democracy (1888)

Alois Kasimir (1852-1930) Nude Ephebe, Nude Boy

This morning I managed to pick up a nicely executed mid to late 19th century drawing of a nude youth (directly below) by Alois Kasimir (1852-1930). It has some condition problems, i.e. folds, but nothing that can not be fixed on a vacuum table. Alois Kasimir was an officer in the Imperial and Royal Army who later became a professional painter and amateur photographer. He was a pioneer in the field of etching and lithography. His son, Luigi (Alois Heinrich Kasimir 1881-1905) was an accomplished artist in his own right. Luigi attended the Vienna Academy of Arts between 1900 and 1905 under Heinrich Bank.
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Caption: Nude Study, Nude Youth (Nude Ephebe)
Artist: Alois Kasimir (1852-1930)
Material: Graphite on Paper
Dated: 1870-80

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Here is an additional example of his other works:

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