The artwork “Nude Study, or Suzanne Sewing” is an oil on canvas painting by Paul Gauguin completed in 1880. It is an exemplar of the Impressionist movement and measures 114.5 x 79.5 cm. This nude painting is currently housed at the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek in Copenhagen, Denmark, and it was created in Paris, France. It delves into the genre of nude portraiture, reflecting the artist’s inclination towards the natural and candid representation of the human form.
In the artwork, a woman is portrayed in a seated position, engaged in the act of sewing. Her nudity is juxtaposed against the domesticity of her activity, creating an intimate scene that seems to capture a moment of everyday life. Her flesh tones harmonize with the surroundings, and the texture of the skin is rendered with a palpable softness. She is presented against a backdrop that includes a wall adorned with patterned fabric and a prominently placed guitar, adding to the depth and narrative setting of the scene. The use of color and the visible brushstrokes are characteristic of the Impressionist style, aiming to convey the impression of light and atmosphere rather than detailed photographic realism. This piece exemplifies Gauguin’s early work, which was marked by a focus on the traditional subjects and techniques before his later transition to a more symbolist and primitivist approach that would dominate his mature period.
