Study for Astyanax’s Nurse

A seated woman in profile faces left, her arm resting forward and loose drapery falling over her knees and feet. White chalk highlights the face, arm and folds against a blue-gray ground, with dark hatching defining the shadows. The pose is studied and quiet, typical of a figure drawing made in preparation for a larger composition.

Look closer: Sandaled feet drawn faintly at the bottom edge of the sheet.

Artist

Pierre Paul Prud'hon

Date

ca. 1812

Medium

Black and white chalk, with stumping, on blue paper

Source

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Size

2511 × 3559 px

Credit (appreciated, not required for public-domain works): The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of Louis de Bayser, 2015