The artwork “Nude Woman with Basket of Fruit (Canephorus)” was created by Georges Braque in 1926 in France. Painted in oil on canvas, it measures 160 by 73 centimeters. This work belongs to the Expressionism movement and falls within the genre of nude painting (nu). Currently, the artwork is held in a private collection.
The artwork presents a compelling portrayal of a nude woman with a basket of fruit, a theme reminiscent of classical canephorae who were known for carrying offerings to the gods. Braque’s treatment of the subject deviates from classical representation through his expressionist approach, encapsulating a raw and emotive essence. His use of bold outlines and earthy tones juxtaposed with splashes of vibrant color contribute to the intensity of the expressionist style. The figure is stylized, with curvilinear forms that suggest volume and a sense of three-dimensionality, yet is also flattened and abstracted in a manner typical of early 20th-century avant-garde art.
Georges Braque’s artistic rendering connects to the longer tradition of depicting the human figure while simultaneously breaking away from realism to express a more personal and subjective vision. The canephorus here is not just a bearer of fruit but also of the emotional weight and intensity that the artist infuses into the canvas. Despite the muted palette, the figure exudes a strong presence, with the contrast between the solidity of the body and the almost ethereal treatment of the face and limbs creating a dynamic tension within the composition.