A soldier is dressed in uniform and faces the viewer.
Achille De Gas in the Uniform of a Cadet
by Edgar Degas
Courtesy National Gallery of Art,
Washington
Question
In order to draw this man's body with appropriate proportions, which part of the body did the artist most likely start drawing first?
(1 point)
Responses
legs
legs
chest
chest
arms
arms
head
head
Based on the information provided, it is likely that the artist started drawing the head first when drawing the man's body with appropriate proportions.
Based on the information provided, it is likely that the artist started drawing the head first in order to establish the proportions of the soldier's body.
To determine which part of the body the artist most likely started drawing first in order to achieve appropriate proportions, we can analyze the artwork itself. Here's how you can approach this question:
1. Observe the artwork: Take a close look at the drawing of the soldier in uniform. Analyze the lines, shapes, and overall composition of the artwork.
2. Identify the proportions: Notice the relative size and placement of different parts of the soldier's body, such as the head, torso, arms, and legs. Pay attention to how they compare to each other.
3. Focus on the direction of the lines: Look at the direction of the lines that the artist has used to depict the body. Pay attention to the flow and movement of these lines.
4. Consider the artist's technique: Analyze the style and technique of the artist, Edgar Degas, and how he typically approached figure drawing. Artists often have their own methods and preferences when it comes to starting a drawing.
Based on these considerations, which part of the body did the artist most likely start drawing first?
While we can't see or know for certain what Degas's exact process was, it is common in figure drawing to start with the basic, larger shapes and then add the details. In this case, the artist most likely started drawing the chest first.
When observing the artwork, notice how the chest is prominently displayed and forms a solid foundation for the rest of the body. It is a large, central area of the composition that helps establish the proportions of the soldier. Additionally, the direction of the lines and the artist's technique may indicate that the chest was one of the primary focuses in the initial stages of the drawing.
Therefore, the most likely answer is "chest" as the part of the body the artist started drawing first to achieve appropriate proportions in this artwork.