Blonde Nude, Félix Vallotton
Félix Vallotton
Blonde Nude
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Félix Vallotton

Blonde Nude, 1921


Dimensions
116 x 89 cm
Physical Description
Oil on canvas
Inventory Number
2261
Acquisition
Acquired in 2008, property of Städelscher Museums-Verein e.V.
Status
Not on display

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About the Work

Whore or saint? The woman's religious-looking pose makes us think of the penitent sinner Mary Magdalene, while the aggressive demonstration of her nudity recalls images of Venus or pictures of pin-ups. Vallotton counters the initial impression of "sweetness" by means of deformities, which irritate the viewer. For example, the upper arm is curiously shortened and the upper thighs seem to lack spatial depth. As is customary in Vallotton's nudes, the homogenous overall effect is missing in this picture, too. The artist makes use of the voyeuristic tendencies of the audience. It is a game of illusion and disillusion, whose ambivalence determines the visual experience.

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Last update

15.11.2024