“The Bec Auer,” an etching on paper created by Marcel Duchamp in 1967 in Milan, Italy, is a work that falls under the Expressionism art movement. Measuring 34.2 x 22.8 cm, this artwork is part of the series titled “The Large Glass and Related Works, with Nine Etchings by Marcel Duchamp on the Theme of The Lovers.” The piece belongs to the genre of nude painting (nu).
The artwork features a minimalist depiction of a nude figure, rendered with delicate and sparse lines. The figure, shown with an arm raised and bent, holds an abstract object in their hand. The head of the figure is somewhat indistinct, with only a suggestion of hair and minimal facial details. The simplicity of the form and the use of negative space highlight the fluid, expressive nature of the lines. Duchamp’s characteristic attention to the interplay of form and abstraction is evident in this composition, capturing a moment of subtle introspection and poise.
