“Reclining Nude in a Bathtub with Pulled Up Legs,” created around 1930, is a work by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner. Executed in chalk, this piece aligns with the Expressionism movement. It measures 39 by 50 centimeters and belongs to the genre of nude paintings (nu).
The artwork features a reclining figure of a nude person in a bathtub. The composition is simple yet evocative, characterized by the bold and expressive lines typical of Expressionist art. The figure’s legs are pulled up, adding a dynamic tension to the seemingly restful pose. The use of chalk gives the artwork a textured, almost sketch-like quality, enhancing its raw and spontaneous feel. The interplay of light and shadow, achieved through varying line thickness and shading, contributes to the depth and dimension of the figure and its surroundings. Overall, the artwork captures a moment of intimate and introspective solitude, rendered through Kirchner’s distinctive expressive style.