“Red Nude Sitting Up” is an expressive work by artist Marc Chagall, created in 1908 in Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation. The artwork, crafted in oil on canvas, is a representation of the Expressionism movement and measures 90 x 70 cm. Characterized as a nude painting (nu), this piece is preserved in a private collection, emphasizing the intimate and personal nature of the work.
The artwork portrays a nude figure seated against a background that is awash with rich, warm tones, mainly red hues that dominate the composition. The figure is rendered with an intentional distortion that reflects the emotional intensity and personal expression characteristic of Expressionist art. The forms are simplified and the contours are smooth, suggesting a fluid and organic presence. Chagall’s use of color is bold and dramatic, with the deep reds evoking a range of potential emotional interpretations, from passion and vitality to vulnerability and introspection. The presence of what appears to be a small branch or plant in the bottom right corner contrasts with the human form and adds a subtle narrative or symbolic element to the composition. Through such powerful visual language, the artwork communicates a visceral sense of the human experience, transcending the need for detailed realism.
