The artwork titled “Propped” by Jenny Saville, created in 1992, is a striking example of Neo-Expressionism within the genres of nude painting (nu) and self-portrait. It is a work emblematic of Saville’s preoccupation with human form, and her approach to painting reminiscent of the visceral, emotive qualities characteristic of the Neo-Expressionist movement.
“Propped” presents a monumental and unapologetically frank portrayal of the female body. The subject is rendered in an almost sculptural manner, with the painter’s broad and textured brushstrokes accentuating the flesh’s tactility and volume. The figure, who is the artist herself, gazes directly at the viewer, challenging and confronting traditional representations of the female nude in art with her bold and unidealized presence.
The composition is imbued with a palpable sense of weight and mass, as the body seems to press against the confines of the canvas. The background, a muted mix of tones, is marked by scribbled text, which appears to emerge from beneath the layers of paint, suggesting layers of meaning beyond the purely visual.
This piece is particularly noted for juxtaposing the raw, physical immediacy of the subject with the written word, invoking themes of identity, perception, and the role of the viewer’s gaze. With its scale and intensity, “Propped” eschews the conventionally passive or decorative role of the female form in art history, instead asserting a confrontational and dynamic force that commands both space and attention.
