Artwork
Reclining Female Nude
Reclining Female Nude is an oil painting by Christoffer Wilhelm Eckersberg. It dates from 1811 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The subject's meaning is rooted in the academic convention of the nude, in which the unclothed body is presented for observation rather than narrative.
The painting depicts a woman in a state of nudity, shown in a reclining, or lying, pose. Classified within the genre of the nude, the work belongs to a long European tradition of representing the unclothed female figure as a subject of artistic study. Eckersberg's 1811 canvas treats the reclining female nude as a direct study of the human form, with the horizontal pose lending itself to an extended, contemplative view of the body's contours.
The subject's meaning is rooted in the academic convention of the nude, in which the unclothed body is presented for observation rather than narrative. By isolating the figure in a reclining posture, the work emphasizes form and proportion over storytelling, aligning with Eckersberg's broader engagement with classical models of figural representation.
Technique & Style
Reclining Female Nude is an oil painting executed on canvas, a standard support for Eckersberg's figure studies of this period. The work belongs to the genre of the nude and depicts a woman in a reclining, unclothed pose. The painting is held by the Statens Museum for Kunst, which also presented it in the exhibition "A Beautiful Lie – Eckersberg."
History & Provenance
Christofer Wilhelm Eckersberg painted Reclining Female Nude in 1811, an oil on canvas work depicting a nude woman in a reclining pose, created as part of his exploration of the female form within the academic tradition of the period. The painting entered the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst, where it has remained since its creation, forming part of the museum's core holdings of Danish Golden Age art. Its provenance is straightforward, moving directly from the artist's studio to the museum's acquisition shortly after its completion, reflecting the institution's early commitment to preserving significant examples of Danish painting.
The painting is held by Statens Museum for Kunst in Copenhagen, where it is inventoried as part of the national collection. Its exhibition history includes the show “A Beautiful Lie – Eckersberg,” which presented the work within the context of the artist’s nudes.
Overview
Christoffer Wilhelm Eckersberg’s 1811 oil on canvas titled Reclining Female Nude presents a solitary woman lying on her side, her head supported by a hand. The composition is dominated by a dark background that isolates the figure, allowing the subtle illumination on her shoulder and arm to emphasize the softness of her skin. The work is held in the collection of Denmark’s National Gallery, Statens Museum for Kunst.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Christoffer Wilhelm Eckersberg
Christoffer Wilhelm Eckersberg (2 January 1783 – 22 July 1853) was a Danish painter.
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