Artwork
Nude of a woman combing her hair
Nude of a woman combing her hair is an oil painting by the Post-Impressionist artist Władysław Ślewiński. It dates from 1909 and is held in the collection of the National Museum in Warsaw.
About this work
Overview
Nude of a Woman Combing Her Hair is a 1909 oil painting by Władysław Ślewiński, a Polish artist influenced by Paul Gauguin. The work is characterized by its post-impressionist style and intimate domestic scene.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a nude woman engaged in a personal, everyday activity—combing her hair—while partially dressed in a red necklace. This contrast between nudity and quotidian task imbues the scene with a sense of quiet, personal intimacy.
Technique & Style
Ślewiński employed contrasting brushwork techniques: smooth strokes for the woman’s skin and clothing, juxtaposed with rough, expressive swirls in the multicolored background. This dichotomy enhances the subject’s realism and draws focal attention to her.
History & Provenance
Created in 1909, the painting is part of the National Museum in Warsaw’s collection. Ślewiński’s involvement in the Young Poland movement contextualizes the work within early 20th-century Polish modernist and symbolic art trends.
Context
As a student of Gauguin and a figure in the Young Poland movement, Ślewiński’s work reflects both French post-impressionist influences and the movement’s emphasis on modernity and symbolism, though the latter is subtly expressed in this piece.
Legacy
While specific legacy details of *Nude of a Woman Combing Her Hair* are not highlighted, it contributes to the broader understanding of Ślewiński’s contribution to Polish modernism and post-impressionist painting traditions in Eastern Europe.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Władysław Ślewiński (1 June 1856 – 24 March 1918) was a Polish painter. He was one of Gauguin's students and a leading artist of the Young Poland movement.
