Artwork
Reclining Nude
Reclining Nude is an ink print by Alexej von Jawlensky. It dates from 1912 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Alexej von Jawlensky’s Reclining Nude, executed around 1912, is a black‑ink lithograph on laid paper. The work presents a solitary figure in a recumbent pose, rendered in stark monochrome. Its composition balances the human form against an abstracted backdrop of undulating shapes, creating a contrast between the corporeal and the atmospheric.
Subject & Meaning
The image depicts a nude figure lying on its side, the torso gently curved and an arm lifted behind the head. The pose suggests a moment of repose or introspection, while the surrounding amorphous forms—reminiscent of clouds, drapery, or blurred circles—introduce an ambiguous spatial context that invites contemplation of the body’s relationship to its environment.
Technique & Style
Created through lithography, the artist drew directly onto a flat stone or metal surface, allowing the ink to adhere to the drawn areas while the non‑image portions repel it. This process yields a characteristic grainy texture and uneven line quality, evident in the work’s bold, sketch‑like strokes and the subtle tonal variations across the laid‑paper support.
History & Provenance
The print dates to the early 1910s, a period when Jawlensky was exploring expressive figuration within a modernist framework. While specific ownership records are limited, the work is catalogued among his print output from this era, reflecting his engagement with lithographic media alongside his more widely known paintings.
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