Henry Arthur Roberts 1819 – 1900. Academic Life Study of a Male Nude Carrying a Staff. Pre-second Republic French Period. Framed 1840s Drawing.

Henry Arthur Roberts.

French ( b.1819 - d.1900 ).

Academic Life Study Of A Male Nude Carrying A Staff

Pencil & Charcoal On Paper.

Paper size 23.4 inches x 13.6 inches ( 59.5cm x 34.5cm ).

Frame size 28.3 inches x 18.7 inches ( 72cm x 47.5cm ).

Available for sale from Big Sky Fine Art in the English county of Dorset, this academic life drawing of a male nude is by the French artist Henry Arthur Roberts and dates from the early 1840s.

The drawing is presented and supplied in a modest hand painted glazed wooden frame dating from the mid-20th century (which is shown in these photographs).

This antique drawing is in good condition, commensurate with its age. It is in an untouched condition having never been restored. The paper has handling marks, some light surface dirt, the odd foxing mark and general age toning. The overall patina adds to the aesthetic and is supplied ready to hang and display.

The drawing is not signed but came from a portfolio of drawings by Henry Arthur Roberts.

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Henry Roberts was born in Paris in 1819, the son and student of British watercolour artist James Roberts. He went on the study with Michel Martin Drölling. He exhibited at the Salon de Paris from 1838-1867. He was awarded several honours for his work as an artist, including becoming a Knight of the Legion of Honour in 1898. His works are held today in several significant public collections, including the Louvre.

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This striking academic nude study is an original pencil and charcoal drawing on paper by the renowned French artist Henry Roberts (1819–1900), created in the early 1840s, no doubt as part of his training with Drölling.

The artwork features a standing male figure, rendered with masterful attention to anatomical detail, shading, and proportion, showcasing the classical training of 19th-century French academic artists.

Roberts’ work exemplifies the École des Beaux-Arts tradition, emphasizing realism, figure study, and dynamic posture, likely serving as a preparatory study for a larger composition or an academic exercise in life drawing. The figure, depicted with a naturalistic stance, holds a staff, adding to the composition’s sense of balance and movement.

This rare and historically significant piece is framed in a modest painted wooden frame, preserving its integrity while enhancing its antique appeal. The artwork’s delicate texture and visible aging add to its authenticity and charm, making it a valuable acquisition for collectors of 19th-century academic art, French figure drawings, and classical nude studies.

For enthusiasts of historical fine art, figurative drawings, and French academic studies, this Henry Roberts charcoal drawing represents a timeless piece of 19th-century art history.

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