The artwork titled “Selected Details after Cranach,” created by renowned artist Marcel Duchamp in 1968 in Milan, Italy, exemplifies his diverse artistic expertise through the mediums of aquatint, etching, and paper. Measuring 34.7 x 23.7 cm, this piece belongs to the Expressionism art movement and falls under the genre of nude painting (nu). Notably, it is part of the series “The Large Glass and Related Works, with Nine Etchings by Marcel Duchamp on the Theme of The Lovers.”
The artwork showcases two nude figures, a male and a female, depicted in a minimalist and stylized manner, characteristic of Duchamp’s approach. The male figure, standing on the left, is partially obscuring his genitals with a leafy branch while gesturing with his left arm across his chest. The female figure on the right is positioned with one arm extended and the other resting beside her. Both figures are devoid of detailed facial features, emphasizing the abstract and conceptual nature of the piece. The simplicity of the line work and the sparse composition direct viewers’ focus towards the interaction and relationship between the figures, central themes in Duchamp’s exploration of human form and intimacy.
