Kneeling Nude (1915) by Matthew Smith

Kneeling Nude - Matthew Smith - 1915

Artwork Information

TitleKneeling Nude
ArtistMatthew Smith
Date1915
Art MovementFauvism

About Kneeling Nude

The artwork titled “Kneeling Nude,” painted by Matthew Smith in the year 1915, manifests the artistic ideals of the Fauvism movement and falls within the genre of nude painting (nu). Fauvism, characterized by its vivid, non-naturalistic use of color, is exemplified in Smith’s rendering of the human form.

In “Kneeling Nude,” the subject appears in a kneeling position, portrayed with a dynamic array of brushstrokes that encompass a palette of bold hues. The figure is ensconced in a tapestry of green, blue, yellow, and red, applied in a manner that emphasizes the textural quality of the paint. The abstracted, rhythmic patterns of color imbue the artwork with an intense visual energy, aligning with the Fauvist emphasis on painterly freedom and emotional expression. The setting in which the figure is placed is suggested through fragmented and contrasting color fields, contributing to the sense of vitality and movement within the composition. This approach underscores the revolutionary departure from realism that Fauvism championed, presenting an evocative and unconventional representation of the human form.

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