Artwork
Nude Study, Girl Sitting on a Flowered Cushion
Nude Study, Girl Sitting on a Flowered Cushion is a print by George Bellows. It dates from 1924 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
The drawing is loose and quick, with soft shading to show her body and the folds of the fabric.
This sketch shows a woman sitting on a low, cushioned surface. Her legs are bent to one side, arms resting behind her. The cushion has a simple floral pattern along the edge. The drawing is loose and quick, with soft shading to show her body and the folds of the fabric.
The artist focused on the curves of her body and the simple shape of the cushion. The sketch feels more like a practice drawing than a finished work.
If you like this style, check out George Bellows (American, 1882–1925).
Overview
Created in 1924, *Nude Study, Girl Sitting on a Flowered Cushion* is a print by American realist George Bellows. The work presents a solitary female figure perched on a low, flower‑edged cushion, rendered with loose, gestural lines and soft shading that emphasize the body's curves and the simple form of the seat. It is part of the Cleveland Museum of Art’s collection.
Subject & Meaning
The composition isolates the sitter in a quiet, domestic setting, allowing the viewer to focus on the interplay of flesh and fabric. Bellows captures a moment of repose, the model’s legs folded to one side and arms resting behind her, suggesting intimacy and the study of human anatomy rather than narrative content.
Technique & Style
Executed as a rapid sketch, the print employs a fluid line quality and subtle tonal gradations to model volume. Bellows’ realist training is evident in the careful observation of light on the body, while the overall handling remains informal, resembling a preparatory drawing rather than a polished finished piece.
History & Provenance
Bellows completed the work shortly before his death at age 42 in 1925. It entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings, where it remains accessible to the public as an example of his lesser‑known figurative practice, complementing his more widely recognized urban scenes.
Artist & collection
Artist
George Wesley Bellows (August 12 or August 19, 1882 – January 8, 1925) was an American realist painter, known for his bold depictions of urban life in New York City.
