Reclining Nude c. 1900

Aristide Maillol conceived this terracotta sculpture, "Reclining Nude." The figure embodies a classical ideal, echoing ancient Greek sculpture in its serene composure and smooth contours. Her pose, with knees drawn up and arms gently supporting her, recalls the Venus Pudica motif, seen throughout art history as early as the Roman era. This gesture of modesty, where the figure covers her body, speaks to a complex interplay of concealment and revelation. However, rather than shame, the sculpture exudes self-containment. This recalls Botticelli's Venus, whose beauty is so complete that she seems unaware of her nakedness. The motif of the reclining nude has been adapted and reinterpreted across centuries, from Titian's sensual goddesses to Manet's provocative Olympia. Each iteration reflects the evolving cultural attitudes toward the female form. Maillol’s work strips away the overt eroticism, presenting a figure of timeless beauty and psychological depth. The "Reclining Nude" becomes a potent symbol of continuity, and the enduring power of the classical ideal.