TitleSketch of Houdon's Écorché
Artist
Moseley Isaac Danforth
(American, 1800 - 1862)
Dateca. 1827
MediumGraphite on buff wove paper
DimensionsSheet size: 26 9/16 × 20 7/16 in.
Mat size: 34 × 29 in.
MarkingsWatermark: J BUDGEN 1822
Credit LineNational Academy of Design, New York, Gift of Mary Danforth Dodge and Elizabeth Dodge in memory of their grandfather, Moseley Isaac Danforth, 1927
Object number1986.51
Label TextThis reproduction of Jean-Antoine Houdon's Ecorché demonstrates Moseley Danforth's mastery of cast drawing. The inscription at the upper edge, "for student's ticket," indicates that Danforth submitted the drawing, along with another in the National Academy's collection, as his application for admission to the Royal Academy when he moved to London in 1827. The drawing itself may have been made in advance of Danforth's departure for Europe while he was enrolled in the National Academy's Antique School during its founding year, 1826-27. The anatomical listing at the left margin documents the young artist's careful study of the human form, while his depiction of Houdon's figure from the front addresses the challenging task of representing the extended right arm in perspective.
c. 1837
c. 1837
c. 1837
