Musing obsession...
by
Sonya M Fitzmaurice
- Thursday, August 23, 2018
We are born nude, quickly swaddled in cloth, protected from exposure. We grow, bodies develop and form unique shaping, curves and angles singular to the individual. Beliefs absorbed at a young age shape the lens through which we see beauty around and within. This is a crucial step to development, a precursor to the path taken regarding health choices, especially as a woman. We are taught to honor, disregard, or shame the human form based on those beliefs, self expression is either encouraged or stifled.
Crouching Nude in Shoes and Black Stockings, Back View - Egon Schiele, 1912
Proclaiming the human form is a selection of some fifty works for study currently at The Met Breuer until October 7th. Obsession: Nudes presents, for the first time shown together, a brilliant group of erotic and evocative watercolors, drawings, and prints by Gustav Klimt, Egon Schiele, and Pablo Picasso. A walk through this exhibit on the museum's second floor opens up curious and contemplative conversation.
The Bride - Gustav Klimt, 1917
Two Reclining Nudes - Egon Schiele, 1911
Nude in Black Stockings - Egon Schiele, 1917
Seated Woman in Corset and Boots - Egon Schiele, 1918
Not all subjects were nude. In this piece by Schiele, there is a sensual aspect to the model's pose captured in the simple strokes of crayon on paper, the corset strap off one shoulder and hands clasped between her knees as she leans her body and head to one side.
Woman and Girl Embracing - Egon Schiele, 1918
Schiele showed the tenderness between a mother and daughter in this example, often sketching models with their offspring in his artist studio. I suppose it was a way to feign innocence while capturing provocative nude child portraiture.
Head of a Woman - Pablo Picasso, 1922
This was our first visit to The Breuer. It is a ten minute walk from The Met, and their in-house restaurant downstairs, Flora Bar, is a definite stop if you go. While the seafood lunch was delicious, dessert was divine. Rhubarb granita with maple ice cream was an unexpected sensual mix of sweet and tart, the perfect finish to an afternoon of musing obsession... xoxo-Sonya
