The artwork, titled “Standing Female Nude, Against a Dark Wall,” was created by Paula Modersohn-Becker in 1900. Rendered in coal, this piece belongs to the Expressionism art movement. It measures 59.5 by 42 centimeters and is categorized under the genre of sketches and studies.
The artwork depicts a female nude standing against a dark backdrop. The figure is turned away from the viewer, with her back and posterior prominently displayed. The shadow cast on the wall accentuates the contours and musculature of her body, highlighting the delicate and intricate play of light and shadow. The choice of medium, coal, lends a certain raw, textured quality to the sketch, enhancing the expressive nature of the piece. The dark wall serves not only as a background but also as a contrasting element that brings out the soft tones of the subject’s skin, embodying the expressive depth and emotion characteristic of the Expressionism movement.
