Standing Nude (1906–07)
Original title: Standing Nude
kurzbeschreibung
Gustav Klimt's graphite drawing Stehender Akt, made in 1906–07, now belongs to the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It shows a nude woman standing upright in a hat, her arms folded across her chest and her head turned to the left. The sheet measures 56.8 × 37.5 cm.
Description
A naked woman stands erect, wearing a hat. Her arms are crossed in front of her body and her face is turned to the left. Klimt draws with flowing lines, bringing out the forms of the body clearly, while the background stays entirely empty. The paper has an even, neutral tone, and light spreads across the surface without hard shadows.
Context
Around this time Klimt was exploring the female nude in depth, often as preparatory work for his paintings. This sheet belongs to a group of nude studies made around 1906–07, when the artist was leaving the Vienna Secession style behind and finding a freer, more expressive line. For such sketches he often reached for graphite and paper.
Impact
Because the subject is reduced and the setting empty, the eye gathers close to the body and stays there. Despite the static pose, the flowing lines give the figure elegance and movement. The realistic, slightly expressionist character creates an immediate closeness to the subject.
Technique
The sheet is executed in graphite on paper, which allows fine and precise lines. Klimt used the medium to shape contours and shading with soft transitions. Detailed passages alternate with sketchily open areas.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)