“Study of a Nude” or “Suzanne Sewing,” a painting created by Paul Gauguin in 1880, depicts a young, nude woman arranging a garment. Currently housed at the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek in Copenhagen, this artwork showcases the French painter’s affinity for impressionism.
Although Gauguin began his career as a stockbroker, he became absorbed in art during the 1870s. He frequented the Impressionist circle and developed a keen appreciation for their techniques. “Study of a Nude” showcases Gauguin’s attempt to emulate the Impressionists’ fluid brushstrokes and preference for vivid tones.
The painting’s subject is a study of a young, nude woman whose back is turned to the viewer as she works on her garment. Although her face remains hidden, the viewer can sense her serenity and quiet concentration. Gauguin’s excellent attention to detail is apparent through the woman’s subtle postures and the folds of the garment. The painting’s soft hues and smoothly brushed surfaces, coupled with its striking subject, make it a masterpiece that endures to this day.
