19th Century Anonymous Belgian School: Nude Ephebe

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This morning I finally negotiated a purchase price with a Brussels Antiques dealer for this beautiful, sensitive academic drawing of a nude ephebe. I am shameless when it comes to approaching a seller on an eBay listing, making them an offer they can't resist unless they specifically prohibit it on their listing. Unfortunately, the drawing is not signed but dates from the late 19th century and is by an unknown artist. It is more a lightly shaded line drawing as opposed to the detailed finished drawing you so often see, but still it is a powerfully rendered study of a young nude boy. If you want to see an active application of a very sensual, almost sexual line, then start at about the level of the model's right ear and let your eye flow along that beautiful line which progresses gently over the scapula, down the back of the rib cage, along the boy's spine, over the hips, and around that almost ninety degree turn of the buttocks, and then down the back side of the boy's right leg. Such a beautiful, poetic execution a single line and of the artist's drawing skills. It will make a nice addition to my collection.
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Anonymous European School: Nude Boy Seated On A Red Cloth, Circa 1900

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This nicely executed academic study of a nude boy posed on a red cloth popped up on a European site today. It is unsigned and undated but appears to date from around 1900. It has some condition problems (torn canvas, scratches, and missing paint, all of which can be repaired by a competent conservation lab) but is in restorable condition. Still, it is a nicely executed early 20th century study of the male youth.
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19th Century French Academic Print - "The Fighter"

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Several days ago I received an email from an specialty art gallery in Brussels that specializes in male nudes with an obvious bent towards a gay audience. When you buy art at public auction like I do, then expect your email address to be sold to industrious entrepreneurs hoping to sell their artworks to you, in this particular case wildly overpriced artwork with stupid and ridiculous shipping charges. When I enquired about a particular small 19th century painting of a male nude, the owner took me for a rich American fool, of which I am neither, rich nor a fool that is. I am guilty of being an American.  Most of the gay oriented illustrations in their email had absolutely no interest for me, if that stuff turns you on then knock yourself out, but there was one image of a 19th century academic drawing that I immediately recognized (first illustration below). Back in January, I added two original French academic prints to my collection, one titled "The Fighter." I am always delighted to see a drawing that illustrates the 19th century academic process of teaching drawing to students (in this particular case...drawing from a master drawing) and here is the perfect example.
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Below are illustrations of the original early 19th century French Academic print titled: The Fighter

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Georg Mattes (1874-1942): Bronze - Der Ball Spieler (The Ball Player)

Miri Kunst in Germany has recently listed this beautiful action study of the male physic by German Sculptor Georg Mattes (1874-1942) on eBay Germany. Mattes was a Professor of Sculpture at the Munich Art Academy during the early part of the 20th century. His sculptures are well known and extent to churches, municipal structures, cemeteries, and public works in Germany.
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Albert Caasmann (1886-1968): Nude Faun with Fruit Basket (Faun Mit Traubenkubel) - Rosenthal Figurine

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Auktionshaus Heickmann in Germany has just listed this beautiful Rosenthal figurine in their current auction catalog. Albert Caasmann (1886-1968) designed the figure circa 1912.
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Alexis (Alix) Marquet (1875-1939) - Bronze - Nude Girl with A Rose

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The small (just under twelve inches) Alix Marquet (1875-1939) female nude bronze arrived from Germany on Saturday. The first thing I noticed when I picked her up was that she was one solid and somewhat top heavy bronze. She has some condition problems, which I hope can be corrected. Her patina is mostly intact with some minor scrapes and wear spots but it is a lovely dark chocolate brown. I believe the damage to her legs is a result of being somewhat top heavy and may have resulted from someone dropping her. Oh well, she had an acceptable low price for the quality of the casting and after I get the other bronze back from Masterworks Studios I will send her off and let John Ward work his magic on her. She is rare and unique when it comes to nudes. You just do not find pre-adolescent female nudes that often. Alix Marquet has sculptures in some major museums around the world so I am happy to have her in my collection.
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