Female nude 

Paul Mathiopoulos created this charcoal drawing, titled ‘Female Nude’, in the late 19th or early 20th century. The figure emerges from a tenebrous background, its edges dissolving into shadow, creating a study in form, light, and texture. Consider the pose: the woman’s back is turned, her head angled slightly to the side. Mathiopoulos directs our gaze along the sweep of her spine, inviting us to contemplate the formal structure of the body. The muted palette reinforces this focus on form, reducing the figure to a play of light and shadow. In doing so, Mathiopoulos seems less interested in the individual than in the aesthetic potential of the nude as a subject. The loose handling of charcoal lends the drawing a sense of immediacy. The surface vibrates with marks that capture the subtle nuances of skin and bone. The artist seems to revel in the physicality of his medium, pushing the boundaries of representation. Ultimately, the work invites us to consider how the female body can be both an object of beauty and a site of formal experimentation.