“Femme étendue lisant,” created by artist Julio González in 1929, belongs to the art movement known as Cubism, and is categorized as a sculpture. The artwork depicts the form of a reclining woman engaged in the act of reading, an evocative and serene scene captured with an economy of lines and form typical of Cubist influence.
The artwork showcases the reclining figure of a woman, etched in a simplified, abstract manner inherent to the Cubist aesthetic. The figure is elongated and leveled on a flat surface, emphasizing geometric reduction and minimalism. González employs a series of curved and angular lines to define the figure’s posture and outline. The woman’s attention is drawn to the object in her hand, suggestive of a book, showcasing a juxtaposition of intellectual engagement and physical relaxation. The sculpture, rendered on a metallic surface, reflects the characteristic industrial material exploration of the early 20th century avant-garde. The entirety of the piece conveys a sense of calm contemplation and quietude, underlined by its minimalist, yet expressive linearity.
