Seated Female Figure Seen from Behind 1889
pierrepuvisdechavannes
minneapolisinstituteofart
drawing
drawing
abstract painting
possibly oil pastel
oil painting
acrylic on canvas
underpainting
france
painting painterly
animal drawing portrait
portrait art
watercolor
fine art portrait
"Seated Female Figure Seen from Behind," an 1889 pastel drawing by Pierre Puvis de Chavannes, depicts a nude woman seated in a forest setting. The figure is seen from behind, with her head turned slightly to the left, and her long, flowing hair falls down her back. The soft, muted colors and delicate lines create a serene and contemplative atmosphere, characteristic of Chavannes's style. This piece, currently housed at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, showcases the artist's signature blend of realism and symbolism, often exploring themes of nature, beauty, and the human condition.
Comments
This pastel is a reduction after Puvis de Chavannes' Allegory of the Sorbonne mural from 1889. The large fresco is in the Grand Amphitheater at the University of the Sorbonne in Paris and is filled with figures that represent different academic disciplines and divisions within the university. This nude, for example, represents Botany, indicated by the flowers in her lap). In this pastel, the artist has slightly reworked the painted figure so that the nude could stand as an independent work of art. Puvis de Chavannes often worked in pastel and his characteristic long, sweeping cross-hatches, directional strokes, and limited outlining are visible in this work.
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