Nana 1917

Louis George Bouche made this intaglio print, Nana, sometime in his career which spanned much of the 20th century. The image depicts a nude woman, casually rendered with bold lines and minimal shading. It's a style that carries echoes of earlier modernists like Picasso, yet with a distinctly American sensibility. Bouche was deeply engaged in the art world of his time, as an instructor as well as artist. He was associated with organizations like the National Academy of Design, where he not only exhibited but also shaped the artistic values being promoted. In this context, Nana might be seen as a subtle challenge to academic norms. Art historians might explore exhibition records, personal papers, and critical reviews to better understand Bouche's role in the art world. The meaning of his work depends on the institutions that shaped his artistic vision.