Artwork
Nude Model on an Empire Sofa
Nude Model on an Empire Sofa is an ink print by the Impressionist artist James McNeill Whistler. It dates from 1893 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Nude Model on an Empire Sofa is a 1893 lithograph by James McNeill Whistler, created using black ink on laid paper. The print showcases Whistler's technical skill and attention to composition.
Subject & Meaning
The lithograph depicts a reclining nude woman on a sofa with a high back, gazing directly at the viewer. Her pose is relaxed, with crossed legs and arms resting on the sofa, set against a plain background.
Technique & Style
Whistler employed lithography to achieve stark black lines and precise detail. The work exemplifies his focus on aesthetic harmony and technical precision, characteristic of the 'art for art's sake' movement.
Context
Created during the American Gilded Age while Whistler was based in the UK, the print reflects his emphasis on artistic autonomy and refined composition, eschewing narrative or moral themes.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
James Abbott McNeill Whistler was an American painter in oils and watercolor, and printmaker, active during the American Gilded Age and based primarily in the United Kingdom.
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