Artwork
Back View of Venus
Back View of Venus is an oil painting by Jules Pascin. It dates from 1925 and is held in the collection of the Musée d'art moderne de Paris.
About this work
Overview
Jules Pascin’s 1925 oil on canvas entitled *Back View of Venus* presents a solitary nude figure seen from behind. The work is part of the collection of the Musée d’art moderne de Paris and exemplifies the artist’s interest in mythological themes rendered in a contemporary manner.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on a woman turned away from the viewer, her back and hips forming the primary visual focus. By presenting the figure in a rear view, Pascin invokes the classical Venus motif while simultaneously emphasizing the sensuality of the human form without narrative distraction.
Technique & Style
Rendered in warm, golden tones, the flesh is modeled through subtle gradations of light and shadow, employing chiaroscuro to suggest volume. The background consists of muted earth colors that recede, allowing the curvilinear lines of the body to dominate the pictorial space. The hair is cut in a short bob, adding a modern touch to the classical subject.
History & Provenance
Created in the final year of Pascin’s life, the painting entered the Musée d’art moderne de Paris’s holdings shortly after its completion. Its acquisition reflects the museum’s early 20th‑century focus on modernist works and contributes to the broader representation of Pascin’s oeuvre within French public collections.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Julius Mordecai Pincas (March 31, 1885 – June 2, 1930), known as Pascin (French: , erroneously or ), Jules Pascin, also known as the "Prince of Montparnasse", was a Bulgarian artist of the School of Paris, known for his paintings and…
