A Photo that circulated on Sina Weibo features that a man, who allegedly was a dean of an art school, draws a naked model stretching out on a bed. Photo: Screenshot of a post by Sichuan media on Sina Weibo

Chinese netizens are having a furious debate over whether nude models should be used during life drawing classes in art schools after photos circulated on social media showing that a man said to be an art school's dean standing in front of his large drawing of a nude model.

The photo of the drawing of the nude model - it's unclear if the model is a man or woman, stretched out on a bed, was posted by a netizen who also wrote: "President of Sichuan Fine Art Institute demonstrating how to draw a nude is really impressive," according to Sichuan media. 

The post has seen been deleted but the photo and others similar has been viewed 180 million times as of press time.

Some netizens called the drawing pornographic and said students shouldn't be subjected to classes with models in the nude.

A netizen who claimed to be an art student said the college canceled life drawing classes using nude models as some parents, students and teachers raised objections. It's not known if the netizen is a student as the Sichuan art school and his or her claim has not been verified. 

The netizen's post created a storm of comments from other netizens accusing opponents of nude models in line drawing classes of being ignorant and conservative. 

A netizen said "I am very angry and upset" seeing suggestions that the art of drawing the nude human figure is vulgar.  

Some also called for respect over the art.

Whether the man in the photo was the president of the Sichuan art institute has yet to be confirmed.