The artwork “Female Nude Reclining on a Divan” by Eugene Delacroix is an oil on canvas painting dating from approximately 1825 to 1826, currently housed at the Louvre in Paris, France. Measuring 26 by 33 centimeters, this piece exemplifies the Romanticism art movement and falls within the genre of nude painting (nu).
In the artwork, the viewer observes a female nude reclined gracefully upon a divan. The subject’s pose is both languid and sensuous, with her figure occupying the majority of the compositional space. The use of light accentuates the soft curves of her body, creating a delicate interplay of shadow and form that brings depth and three-dimensionality to the painting. Her gaze is directed away from the viewer, imbuing the scene with a sense of introspection or detachment. Surrounding her, rich, warm tones dominate the background, providing a vibrant contrast to the paleness of her skin. The brushwork exhibits the expressive and fluid quality characteristic of Delacroix’s style, aligning with the emotive and passionate ethos of Romanticism. The intimacy of the setting and the relaxed posture of the figure capture a private moment, frozen in time by the artist’s hand.