Reclining Figure II 1966

Editor: We're looking at Frank Auerbach's "Reclining Figure II." It's a print, and I'm immediately struck by the bold lines and the contrasting colors. What stands out to you in its composition? Curator: The dynamism lies within the interplay of line and colour. Note how the structure is not defined by representational accuracy, but by the rhythm created through the juxtaposition of contrasting hues. The black lines aren't merely outlines; they construct a new visual reality. Do you perceive how they interact with the green and blue? Editor: Yes, I see how the green and blue create a kind of spatial tension against the black, almost like a fractured plane. It definitely pushes beyond just depicting a figure. Curator: Precisely. Auerbach isn't just representing a reclining figure. He's exploring the very essence of form and space, interrogating the nature of perception itself. Editor: That's fascinating, I'll definitely look at it differently now. Curator: Indeed, it's a masterclass in how abstract forms can evoke a powerful sense of presence.