Who painted Standing Nude Woman Holding a Box?

Standing Nude Woman Holding a Box was painted by Karel Vitezslav Masek in 1896.

Where can I see Standing Nude Woman Holding a Box?

Standing Nude Woman Holding a Box is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Standing Nude Woman Holding a Box?

Standing Nude Woman Holding a Box is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

Standing Nude Woman Holding a Box

Karel Vitezslav Masek , 1896

Standing Nude Woman Holding a Box is a graphite drawing by the Impressionist artist Karel Vitezslav Masek. It dates from 1896 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Standing Nude Woman Holding a Box is a graphite drawing executed in 1896 by Czech artist Karel Vítězslav Mašek. The work depicts a solitary female figure, nude, holding a rectangular container, rendered entirely in monochrome pencil on paper.

Subject & Meaning

The composition presents a straightforward study of the human form, emphasizing the interplay of light and shadow across the body's contours. The inclusion of a box introduces a subtle narrative element, suggesting a moment of pause or transition, though the drawing remains primarily an anatomical exploration.

Technique & Style

Mašek employed a range of graphite tones to model volume, using fine hatching and cross‑hatching to convey texture and depth. The drawing reflects the late‑19th‑century academic approach to figure studies, with careful attention to proportion and a restrained, observational style typical of preparatory works.

History & Provenance

Created in 1896, the piece belongs to the early period of Mašek’s career, when he was developing his skill in draftsmanship before moving toward larger oil compositions. The drawing’s later ownership history is not extensively documented, but it has appeared in catalogues of his works and is held in a private collection.