Artwork
Nude reclining
Nude reclining is an oil painting by the Post-Impressionist artist Hugh Ramsay. It dates from 1901 and is held in the collection of the Art Gallery of New South Wales.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1901 by Australian artist Hugh Ramsay, this oil painting depicts a reclining nude figure. The work is part of the collection of the Art Gallery of New South Wales and measures the intimate interior scene of a woman at rest.
Subject & Meaning
The composition presents a partially draped woman lying on her side on a green sofa, her head supported by a red cushion. A white sheet covers most of her torso, leaving the left leg and foot exposed, while her gaze is turned away, emphasizing a private, contemplative mood.
Technique & Style
Ramsay employs visible brushwork that gives the surface a tactile quality. The application of chiaroscuro—strong contrasts of light and shadow—creates a three‑dimensional sense of volume, particularly on the figure’s flesh and the surrounding furnishings.
History & Provenance
Since its completion, the painting has remained in Australian public ownership, entering the Art Gallery of New South Wales’s holdings where it continues to be displayed as part of the gallery’s early‑20th‑century collection.
Artist & collection
