Seated Nude

Accession Number
1985/1.127

Title
Seated Nude

Artist(s)
Aristide Maillol

Artist Nationality
French (culture or style)

Object Creation Date
circa 1881-1944

Medium & Support
patina on bronze

Dimensions
8 1/4 in. x 6 11/16 in. x 2 3/8 in. ( 21 cm x 17 cm x 6 cm )

Credit Line
Gift of A. Paul and Ellen G. Victor

Subject matter
When Maillol began to concentrate on sculpture, he created many small statues of nude female figures. He modeled them in terracotta clay and they were later cast in bronze. The figures were shown in various poses-- reclining, kneeling, crouching -- and sitting. Maillol emulated the idealistic treatment of human form in Greek sculpture, but his nudes relate his portrayal of the female figure as a rythmic arrangement of shapes and forms.

Physical Description
This is a 21cm tall bronze sculpture of a nude female figure seated on a stump-like form with her legs extending out in front of her and crossed at the ankles. She leans the weight of her body on her left arm, as her left hand grasps the edge of the stump. Her right arm is bent and raised, with the back of her hand resting against the left side of her head. She is gazing downward and her arm seems to be shielding her face. Her hair is pulled back and gathered in a knot. The patina is dark brown and the metal surface has a uneven appearance.

Primary Object Classification
Sculpture

Primary Object Type
statue

Collection Area
Western

Rights
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Keywords
bronze (metal)
modern and contemporary art
nudes
nudes (representations)
seated
women (female humans)

& Author Notes

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