The artwork entitled “Idol,” attributed to Vincent van Gogh, dates from around 1886. This piece is crafted using chalk on paper, and it exemplifies the Realism art movement. Classified as a nude painting, the artwork is held in the Van Gogh Museum located in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Depicting the human form with particular attention to anatomical detail, the artwork features a rear view of a standing nude figure. The subject is presented in a classic contrapposto stance, a pose that suggests movement and relaxed naturalism. The muscular definition and the gentle curvature of the spine are rendered with a discerning use of chiaroscuro to highlight the three-dimensionality of the figure. The texture of the chalk brings a tactile quality to the drawing, and the use of hatching and cross-hatching techniques creates a sense of depth and volume. The deliberate focus on the form without the distraction of a detailed background indicates a study of the human body, likely with educational or practice intent, which is common within the tradition of Realist art.
