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Reclining Nude

Alexej von Jawlensky

1912

ink

paper

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Early Modern Nude

Dominant colour

Reclining Nude is a 1912 ink by Alexej von Jawlensky, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Alexej von Jawlensky
When & what style?: 1912
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This is a black-and-white drawing of a person lying down, facing slightly to the side. Their body is curved, with one arm raised behind their head. The background is a mix of wavy, abstract shapes—some look like clouds or fabric, others like blurred circles. The lines are bold and uneven, giving it a rough, sketchy feel. The artist used a printmaking method called lithography, where the image is drawn directly on a flat stone or metal plate. This technique often creates that slightly grainy, handmade look. Try looking up lithography to see how it works.