Affandi

This work is in very good overall condition as viewed. There are some cracks to paint at areas of very thick impasto, consistent with the age of the work. Examination under ultraviolet light reveals a few very tiny, pinhole sized sporadic spots of restoration, only at the green pigment at the backdrop. Framed.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Artists from the Italian Renaissance left an indelible and revolutionary mark in art history when they portrayed reclining nudes as hallowed goddesses, such as the revered sleeping Venus. They would subsequently instigate legions of painters to conjure images of unclothed women behind the secure guise of mythology until the 19^th century, when the Odalisque canon provided painters with the artistic liberty to depict overtly titillating concubines. However, it was only after the 20^th century when ordinary nude women were represented, sans any allegorical attributions.

In accordance with his Western contemporaries, Affandi portrays an undressed woman from a live model to study the female form. Her voluptuous body faces the scorching sun above her, and her sun kissed skin reflects its golden tones. The sun, emitting rays of fiery light, is a quintessential motif employed by the artist in order to permeate the composition with a sense of life and vitality. This is syncopated with an animated backdrop, which creates a wavy flow that compliments the sinuous curves of her body and further accentuates the dynamism of the scene. Ensconced within this enveloping, dark green form in the backdrop, her lounging body is the focus of the composition.

Her body language and positioning is almost identical to that of the nude in an earlier work painted in 1949. Female Nude is rendered with more technical verisimilitude and precision, much before Affandi developed his iconic painterly style so palpable in the present lot. It is evident that over time, Affandi’s works became more expressive, overflowing with exuberant emotion. Painted with a sense of spontaneity and zeal, the woman in the present lot is a conduit to conjure sensuality and celebrate the magnificence of the female form.