Raphaël - Deux hommes nus, NI-1706-01

Two muscular male figures are shown in a dynamic pose, with the artist using dense cross-hatching to define their anatomical structure and musculature. The figure on the right appears to be holding a heavy object or fabric against his hip, while the figure on the left is turned away, showcasing the contours of the back and legs. This sketch is a working study of human movement and physical tension.

This drawing reflects the High Renaissance preoccupation with the human body as a microcosm of divine order, a concept central to the Neoplatonic circles of 16th-century Italy. Raphael's rigorous anatomical studies were driven by the belief that mastering the 'proportions of man' allowed the artist to replicate the harmony of the cosmos.