Staande naakte vrouw op de rug gezien 1881 - 1925

Aristide Maillol made this drawing of a standing nude woman, viewed from behind, with a pencil on paper. Look at the hatch marks: such beautiful rhythmic strokes, so dense and suggestive, as if Maillol is searching for the form in the making. The strokes are almost topographical, mapping her back. I can just imagine him slowly building up the form, one line at a time, carefully considering the curves of her body. The composition is really simple, but the shading gives the figure weight and presence. The female nude was a favorite subject of Maillol's, like his contemporary Renoir. Maillol's nudes don’t have that overtly sexual feel, or the same kind of idealization. Instead, he emphasizes the woman's strength and solidity. It makes me think about how artists influence one another across time, creating an ongoing dialogue through their work. We can learn from each other, copy each other, and push each other to see the world in new ways, building upon what has come before.