Seated male nude as Prometheus

This male nude in an imposing format reflects the academic training of artists in the late 18th century: students began their studies of the human form by drawing from plaster casts. Paintings of live models were the last step before the supreme discipline of history painting. This sample of his work during his scholarship was sent from Rome by the young artist provides the nude with a historical “fig leaf” — the shackles identify the man as Prometheus, the god of Greek mythology who stole fire from the gods and gave it to humanity.