1898
charcoal
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Half-Nude Woman Holding Her Hair Apart is a 1898 charcoal by Paula Modersohn-Becker, a Impressionism work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This painting shows a woman with her eyes closed, holding her hair apart with both hands. She is half-nude, with her breasts visible. The woman's face and body are rendered in loose, expressive brushstrokes, giving the impression of a quick sketch. Her dark hair is long and flowing, and her skin is depicted in soft, muted tones. The background of the painting is a warm, earthy color, which complements the woman's skin tones. The overall effect is one of intimacy and vulnerability, as if the woman is sharing a private moment with the viewer. This painting is reminiscent of the works of Modersohn-Becker, Paula.
Paula Modersohn-Becker (8 February 1876 – 20 November 1907) was a German Expressionist painter and draftswoman of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
See the richer artist page
