Robert Schultz’s figures, mostly nudes, are closely observed and meticulously drawn, resulting in exquisite textures, highlights, and shadows. This selection of his work shows the development of the artist’s style and technique. Schultz portrays the body with extremely fine detail and mastery of the medium, deftly balancing anatomy and sensuality, the nude figure and the composition as a whole. His drawings, most in graphite, accurately represent the human frame’s response to gravity and sometimes a single prop (often rope or fabric); they impart balance, stillness, and dynamism. Body torsion and gesture give the drawings movement and convey emotional nuance. Shadow often comes into play as a compositional weight, sometimes grounding figures and at other times looming behind them like barely suppressed spirits.
Schultz works mainly in his studio overlooking State Street. He also teaches Drawing Fundamentals and Figure Drawing at MATC. A fully illustrated catalogue will be available for sale in the Museum Shop.
