The artwork, titled “Magdalena I,” was painted by Marlene Dumas in 1996. It belongs to the Neo-Expressionism art movement and falls within the genre of nude painting.
In the artwork, a figure, presumably female, stands facing forward, dominating the composition with an elongated and ghostly form. The subject’s body is rendered in muted tones of grey and black, creating an ethereal and somewhat haunting presence. The figure’s cascading hair, painted in darker, more opaque strokes, contrasts starkly with the lighter, translucent treatment of the body. The simplicity in the use of color and the directness of the pose evoke a sense of raw vulnerability. Dumas’ painterly technique, characterized by gestural marks and fluid application, imbues the figure with emotional intensity and an enigmatic aura. The artwork exemplifies the Neo-Expressionist style through its emotive depiction and provocative exploration of human presence and identity.
