Artwork
Nude with Hexagonal Quilt
Nude with Hexagonal Quilt is an oil painting by the Realist artist George Bellows. It dates from 1924 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:lower right: Geo Bellows.
About this work
History & Provenance
The painting remained in the artist’s possession until his death, then passed to his wife Emma S.
Nude with Hexagonal Quilt was painted by George Bellows in 1924 as an oil on canvas work. The painting remained in the artist’s possession until his death, then passed to his wife Emma S. Bellows and subsequently to her estate. It was sold in July 1961 via H.V. Allison & Co. in New York to Paul Mellon, who later gifted it to the National Gallery of Art in 1983.
The work measures 129.5 by 160 and is catalogued in the National Gallery’s collection. Its provenance reflects a clear chain from creator to current institutional ownership.
The painting is held by the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., where it is accessioned as 1983.1.18.
It was purchased in July 1961 through H.V. Allison & Co., New York, from the estate of Emma S. Bellows, the artist’s widow, and later gifted to the Gallery in 1983 by Paul Mellon.
Overview
George Bellows created Nude with Hexagonal Quilt in 1924, an oil on canvas painting. This work depicts a solitary female figure, rendered in a traditional nude format, seated upon a distinctive piece of textile art. The composition highlights both the human form and the intricate patterns of the quilt, establishing a contemplative atmosphere within the canvas.
Subject & Meaning
The painting centers on a nude woman, positioned with her legs crossed and her right arm resting gently on her knee. Her hair is drawn back, and her gaze is directed downward towards her hands, which lie in her lap, suggesting introspection. She sits on a chair adorned with a quilt composed of numerous hexagonal patches, each featuring distinct colors and designs. This arrangement evokes a sense of quiet contemplation, as if the subject is deeply absorbed in thought.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil on canvas, Bellows employed a technique that emphasizes the central figure and her surroundings. The background is rendered in a dark, subdued tone, which serves to minimize distraction and draw the viewer's eye directly to the woman and the vibrant quilt. This deliberate contrast between the muted backdrop and the detailed foreground enhances the painting's focused and intimate quality, underscoring the subject's pensive state.
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Artist & collection
Artist
George Wesley Bellows (August 12 or August 19, 1882 – January 8, 1925) was an American realist painter, known for his bold depictions of urban life in New York City.
