The artwork titled “Reclining Nude” was created by the renowned artist Pablo Picasso in 1908. This oil painting on wood measures 27 by 21 centimeters and exemplifies the Cubist and Expressionist movements. The genre of the painting falls under nude painting (nu), a subject Picasso revisited frequently throughout his career. It is currently housed in the Musée Picasso in Paris, France.
This particular artwork features a reclining figure that has been rendered in a style characteristic of Picasso’s Cubist period. In the artwork, the human form is depicted with fragmented geometry, deconstructing the body into a series of planes and facets. The palette seems to be reduced, embracing earthy tones and occasional shades that could suggest both depth and volume whilst still reducing the figure’s form to simple, abstracted shapes. Brushstrokes appear visible and dynamic, contributing to a sense of movement and complexity in the composition, which challenges traditional representations of the human body. This abstract portrayal seeks to represent the figure from multiple perspectives simultaneously, a hallmark of Cubist methodology. Picasso’s deep exploration of form over the fidelity to lifelike depiction marked a significant shift in modern art and influenced generations of artists to follow.
