Seated Nude, Back Turned (Nu assis, vu de dos)

Seated Nude, Back Turned (Nu assis, vu de dos) is a key lithograph created by the French master Henri Matisse in 1913. This print exemplifies Matisse's profound and continuous exploration of the female form during a crucial transitional period in modern art, focusing on the expressive power of line over descriptive detail.

The subject is rendered with characteristic economy and fluidity, hallmarks of Matisse's mature graphic style. The figure sits with her back entirely to the viewer, emphasizing the curve of the spine, the shoulders, and the weight distribution on the seat. Working in the medium of lithograph, Matisse achieved nuanced shading and a rich, velvety black line, which differs distinctly from the intense color work he was simultaneously undertaking in his paintings during this period. The print focuses not on idealized realism, but rather on the formal elements of line and contour, transforming the traditional academic subject into a study of pure form. The technique of lithography, involving drawing directly onto a stone or plate, promotes a spontaneity visible in the energetic lines defining the contours of the figure and the implied space around her.

Produced in 1913, this work falls squarely within the era of high Modernism, when artists were challenging established conventions of representation. Matisse, already a leading figure in the French art scene, frequently utilized the female form as a primary vehicle for formal investigation. The artist’s choice of prints, particularly lithographs, demonstrates his commitment to exploring media beyond painting and sculpture, allowing for wider dissemination of his characteristic drafts. This specific print, Seated Nude, Back Turned (Nu assis, vu de dos), is held in the renowned collection of the Museum of Modern Art, where it serves as a critical example of Matisse's achievements in graphic arts early in the 20th century.