Lot Essay
After 1920, Braque's work shows a preoccupation with several themes, one of which was the arts of ancient Greece. By 1922 he had begun a series of monumental female figure paintings, called Canephorus, which was to continue until 1926. The idea for this series was also stimulated by seeing Renoir's late works of large fleshy nudes at the Salon d'Automne in October 1920. Additionally, it is likely that the monumental female nudes of Picasso's own Classical period suggested to Braque the possibilities inherent in such a theme.
The treatment of the figure in this painting owes much to the massive and monumental figures of Renoir and Picasso. However, Braque executed this subject with broad and loose movements across the canvas which give the viewer a tactile sensation rather than focusing on the sensual or idealized quality of the form.
The treatment of the figure in this painting owes much to the massive and monumental figures of Renoir and Picasso. However, Braque executed this subject with broad and loose movements across the canvas which give the viewer a tactile sensation rather than focusing on the sensual or idealized quality of the form.