Stående kvindelig model, set fra ryggen 1898 - 1901

Aristide Maillol rendered this female figure from behind in a drawing, its date currently unspecified. Here, we witness the enduring motif of the female nude, a form laden with cultural significance. Consider how the Greeks immortalized the female form in sculptures like the Venus de Milo. The subtle contrapposto, the slight shift in weight, echoes poses seen in classical antiquity, a stance symbolizing balance and harmony. The rendering of the back, with its curves and musculature, is reminiscent of Michelangelo’s figures. This emphasis on the body as a landscape of emotion links to our primal understanding of the human form. The gaze, though absent, evokes a sense of introspection, engaging us on a subconscious level. This image reflects a cycle of cultural memory, where classical ideals are continually reinterpreted, revealing the psychological power of enduring symbols.