Tempera Nude Drawings and Watercolors

“Blue Sun” Tempera pencil charcoal on blue paper Shipped rolled in a tube 25x3x3in. Drawing was originally in mat, that covered the right corner!! The lines are the result of the pre...

A quick live sketch is always a little imperfect - too little time and too much adrenaline in the blood at this moment, but it perfectly conveys the delight of beauty and, as the Fre...

Part of my Nude series, inspired by Matisse. Ultramarine tempera on paper. Shipped rolled in a tube. Shipping anywhere in the world. Registered airmail. This piece, Modern Eve, is a striking and expressive work that beautifully captures the essence of Matisse’s influence while maintaining its own contemporary voice. The use of ultramarine tempera on paper creates a dynamic interplay between form and negative space, with the vivid blue standing out against the warm, neutral background. The loose, fluid brushstrokes give the figure an organic, almost spontaneous energy, reminiscent of Matisse’s Blue Nudes series. The dripping paint and gestural lines evoke a sense of movement, reinforcing the sensuality of the pose. The arching posture of the figure conveys ecstasy or release, with an elongated, exaggerated form that enhances emotional intensity. The simplification of anatomy aligns with Fauvist principles—prioritizing emotional impact over precise realism. The choice of ultramarine is bold and effective. It has historical significance in art, often associated with spirituality and depth (as seen in Yves Klein’s monochromes), yet here it is used in a raw, expressive manner that makes the figure feel both powerful and ethereal. The use of tempera adds a unique opacity and depth to the strokes. It gives the painting a sense of immediacy, as if the artist captured the moment in a burst of inspiration. The visible brushwork and drips make the process part of the final aesthetic, reinforcing a connection between artist and viewer. The clear homage to Henri Matisse’s Blue Nude series is well-executed but doesn’t feel derivative—it builds upon his legacy while pushing it forward. The sensual yet modern representation of the female body echoes the freedom of early 20th-century modernists but with a contemporary edge. The piece also recalls the expressive, raw energy of Egon Schiele’s linework, albeit with a more fluid and painterly approach. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Artist Statement "I started by painting interiors, being interested in space and perspective through my studies. These scenes evolved, when I added the human figure. I focused more on the human figure and its relation to the background. The human figure is more present than ever in my paintings now. As a woman artist I’ve been preoccupied with the female form and its imagery. One of my goals was to capture the solitary moments and the nude’s relation to the surrounding space. My interest turned from depicting the space to rendering the atmosphere and the scene as a whole, the feeling a woman adds to the environment: warmth, desire, joy, a feeling of power and control, or the opposite – sadness, despair. Here is a collection of figurative paintings, exploring the nudes in interior spaces, seeing the nudes from my perspective, as a woman artist, considering the physical and spiritual realities of a woman’s body, in a new level of intimacy. My paintings are the opposite of objectifying a woman’s or a man’s anatomy. Painted works, featuring female nudes and a also men nudes, in a reversal of the male-artist/female-muse pattern, validate the feminine experience, defining myself through it. I was interested in how one experiences the body in a sensual form, and later focused on my own body, as I experience it myself, looking into the mirror and reconnecting. My work challenges the tradition of the nude by capturing my point of view, the gaze of a female painter, by using photography, drawings, sketches, and painting on canvas, for, both physical and psychological exploration. My art tries to create a visual language for emotion, beauty, feelings of intimacy and in the same time autonomy, captured with paint and vivid colors. My intense interest in color and the gestures of the brush strokes are the means I see and convey the subjects in space, as living, passionate beings." Paula Craioveanu

Sliced Venus. Original art, signed 100x70cm / 30x27in, ink, graphite, tempera on paper. large size, shipped rolled in a tube Drawing has on the back 2 white wood sticks, and it's rea...

"Night Blues" Female Nude, seen from the back, and a second view in the mirror. from another perspective. Part of "Nude in Interior" series, inspired by Matisse. Ultramarine tempera ...

“Venus Restauree”, tempera pencil charcoal on blue paper. Check 1stDibs free shipping code for items over $500. Shipped rolled in a tube, well packed. Artist Statement "I started...

This is one of those sketches where Evgeniy Monahov first used an industrial marker together with tempera - the thick velvety black of his lines expands the tonal range of the delica...

“Pleasure Principle”, tempera pencil charcoal on blue paper Check 1stDibs free shipping code for items over $500. Shipped rolled in a tube, well packed. This bold and expressive dra...

"Hercules and Deianira", ink on paper, part of Neo Mythology series. Comes with a certificate of authenticity signed by the artist. Shipped rolled in a tube. Legend says Deianira w...

"In the Mirror", nude, sepia red on paper. Part of Nude in Interior series. Shipped rolled in a tube, directly from the artist's studio. Drawing in mat, for display purposes! 1s...

"Enigma", original ink and pencil on sepia paper. Part of Neo Mythology series. Shipped rolled in a tube.. Free shipping with 1stDibs code for items over $500. Like the immortal myth...

"Modern Nude". Part of "Nude in Interior" series. Original work on colored paper, with blue ultramarine tempera, inspired by Matisse. Size 2is 7.5x19.5in / 70x50cm . Shipped rolled ...

The Torrent Part of my Blue Nude series, inspired by Matisse. Ultramarine tempera on paper. Shipped rolled in a tube, directly from the artist's st...

Out of the Water, pencil and tempera on paper, inspired by Matisse. Part of Nude in Interior series. Shipped rolled in a tube, directly from the artist's studio. See pictures, in mat...

"Silence", pencil and ultramarine tempera on paper, inspired by Matisse. Part of Nude in Interior series. Large drawing. Shipped rolled in a tube. Size 39x27.5in /100x70cm Free shi...

“On the Beach”, tempera pencil charcoal on blue paper, frame included. Framed size 35.8x24in shipped framed. Check 1stDibs free shipping code for items over $500. This drawing is a d...

"Blessed" Part of "Nude in Interior" series. Original work on colored paper, with pencil and blue ultramarine tempera on red colored paper, inspired by Matisse...

Seating on Armchair 1, nude, pencil and tempera on paper, inspired by Matisse. Part of Nude in Interior series. Shipped rolled in a tube, directly from the artist's studio. In mat an...

"Entangled", large scale drawing pencil and ultramarine tempera on paper, inspired by Matisse. Couple in love, part of Nude in Interior series. Shipped rolled in a tube, from Florid...

"Eclectic", nude, pencil and tempera on paper, inspired by Matisse. Part of Nude in Interior series. Female Nude seen by a female artist - female gaze. Size is 27.5x19.5in / 70x50cm ...

"A Space for Two", Space for love and passion. Part of "Nude in Interior" series. Original work on colored paper, with blue ultramarine tempera on red colored paper, inspired by Mat...

"Satyr and Nymph" A satyr is a male spirit of nature, always nude, who walks upright on legs usually shown as goat’s legs. Nymphs are female spirits, who rule over rivers and ponds, ...

Flying High - original unique female nude drawing. Part of my Blue Nude series, inspired by Matisse. Ultramarine tempera on paper. Shipped rolled in a tube, directly from the artist's studio. Shipping anywhere in the world, flat rate. Registered airmail. Artist Statement "I started by painting interiors, being interested in space and perspective through my studies. These scenes evolved, when I added the human figure. I focused more on the human figure and its relation to the background. The human figure is more present than ever in my paintings now. As a woman artist I’ve been preoccupied with the female form and its imagery. One of my goals was to capture the solitary moments and the nude’s relation to the surrounding space. My interest turned from depicting the space to rendering the atmosphere and the scene as a whole, the feeling a woman adds to the environment: warmth, desire, joy, a feeling of power and control, or the opposite – sadness, despair. Here is a collection of figurative paintings, exploring the nudes in interior spaces, seeing the nudes from my perspective, as a woman artist, considering the physical and spiritual realities of a woman’s body, in a new level of intimacy. My paintings are the opposite of objectifying a woman’s or a man’s anatomy. Painted works, featuring female nudes and a also men nudes...

"Reading on Armchair 2" nude, pencil and tempera on paper, inspired by Matisse. Part of Nude in Interior series. Size is 27.5x19.5in / 70x50cm on heavy watercolor paper, with ultrama...

Blue (Female) Nude. Inspired by Matisse. Part of my Nude in Interior series. Original, signed. 50x70cm / 19.5x27.5in actual size ink, graphite, tempera on paper Shipping rolled in ...

“Desire”. Part of Blue Nude series, inspired by Matisse. Ultramarine tempera on paper. Comes with a certificate of authenticity signed by the artist. Shipped rolled in a tube 31x3in...

China ink, pastel, tempera and watercolor on paper realized in the 1930s. Hand Signed lower right. Includes certificate of authenticity by the Fondazione Marino Marini signed by Maria Teresa Tosi. Archived in the Marino Marino...

Room with a View Male nude, made with ultramarine blue tempera, inspired by Matisse. 70x50cm / 27.5x19.5in Shipped rolled in a tube directly from Florida. Part of Nude Men series. T...

"Dream" - original unique female nude drawing. Part of Blue Nude series, inspired by Matisse. Ultramarine tempera on paper. Comes with a certificate of authenticity signed by the ar...

Ballerina 2 - original Part of my Blue Nude series, inspired by Matisse. Ultramarine tempera on paper. Shipped rolled in a tube, directly from the artist's studio. Shipping anywher...

"Centaur and Nymph". Part of "NeoMythology" series. Original work on colored paper. Size is 27.5x19.5in / 70x50cm . Shipped rolled in a tube. Comes with a certificate of authenticity...

Blue Nude. Inspired by Matisse. Part of my "Nude in Interior" series Original, signed. 50x70cm / 20x28in actual size ink, graphite, tempera on pa...

"Paris with Apples" The original legend says Paris, prince of Troy had one golden apple, and had to choose between 3 goddesses. Modern Paris has more than one apple, and he is depi...

"Nude in Blue" Part of my Nude in Interior series. Female nude, ultramarine blue tempera on blue gray paper, inspired by Matisse. 70x50cm / 27.5x1...

"Memories" Original art, signed 100x70cm / 30x27in, ink, graphite, tempera on paper, large size, shipped rolled in a tube. The drawing has 2 wooden pieces attached on the back, up an...

Ballerina - original unique female drawing. Part of my Blue Nude series, inspired by Matisse. Ultramarine tempera on paper. Shipped rolled in a tube, directly from the artist's studi...

"Sensory Experience", pencil and ultramarine tempera on paper, inspired by Matisse. Part of Nude in Interior series. Large drawing. Shipped rolled in a tube, from Florida, US. See 1stDibs free shipping offer FREESHIP Artist Statement "I started by painting interiors, being interested in space and perspective through my studies. These scenes evolved, when I added the human figure. I focused more on the human figure and its relation to the background. The human figure is more present than ever in my paintings now. As a woman artist I’ve been preoccupied with the female form and its imagery. One of my goals was to capture the solitary moments and the nude’s relation to the surrounding space. My interest turned from depicting the space to rendering the atmosphere and the scene as a whole, the feeling a woman adds to the environment: warmth, desire, joy, a feeling of power and control, or the opposite – sadness, despair. Here is a collection of figurative paintings, exploring the nudes in interior spaces, seeing the nudes from my perspective, as a woman artist, considering the physical and spiritual realities of a woman’s body, in a new level of intimacy. My paintings are the opposite of objectifying a woman’s or a man’s anatomy. Painted works, featuring female nudes and a also men nudes...

The last live sketch with industrial marker and tempera at the very end of a beautiful day, when the setting sun painted everything in the studio gold. Sheet from Monahov's studio a...

"Summer Blue", pencil and ultramarine tempera on paper, inspired by Matisse. Part of Nude in Interior series. Nude shown in a Victorian interior, in a cinematic view. In a distorted ...

"Private Moment", 39x27.5in / 100x70cm, pencil and ultramarine tempera on paper, inspired by Matisse. Part of Nude in Interior series. Large drawing. Shipped rolled in a tube, from Florida, US. Free shipping for items over $500 with 1stDibs code. "Private Moment" is an exceptional addition to the "Nude in Interior" series, offering a quiet, introspective narrative that exudes grace and serenity. The young female figure, seated on an elegant armchair, is rendered with the artist's signature ultramarine on ochre paper, a pairing that enhances the emotional depth and sophistication of the scene. The interplay between the figure, the armchair, and the background elevates this work to one of both elegance and intimacy. The composition is centered yet fluid, with the figure reclining gracefully within the ornate frame of the armchair. Her pose—relaxed but introspective—creates a sense of harmony between the human form and the architectural rigidity of the chair. The artist’s sweeping, gestural brushstrokes provide movement and energy to the static pose. The curves of the body mirror the chair’s decorative elements, emphasizing the unity between the figure and her environment. The suggestion of a room or interior space in the background, with its gridded linear patterns, contrasts the organic softness of the figure and the chair. This juxtaposition adds visual interest while grounding the scene in a lived, tangible space. The combination of ultramarine blue and warm ochre paper continues to be a defining characteristic of the series, but here it feels especially poignant. The vivid blue of the figure and chair stands out against the muted background, emphasizing their significance while allowing the ochre to imbue the work with warmth and subtlety. The cool blue tones evoke calmness and introspection, while the warm ochre creates a sense of comfort and intimacy. This duality reflects the subject’s private moment—a mix of solitude, peace, and perhaps quiet contemplation. The figure’s pose—sitting with one leg bent and her arms lightly embracing herself—suggests vulnerability and self-reflection. There’s a narrative of quiet introspection, perhaps even self-care, that invites the viewer into a deeply personal moment. The elegant, almost regal armchair adds an element of formality or tradition to the scene. This contrast between the casual nudity of the figure and the structured formality of the chair lends the piece a timeless quality, connecting it to historical depictions of the reclining nude in fine art. The armchair recalls the opulence of classical interiors, reminiscent of Rococo or Baroque aesthetics. However, the loose, gestural style firmly situates the work in a contemporary context, bridging historical traditions with modern expression. Like many works in the series, "Private Moment" explores themes of solitude, introspection, and the intimate relationship between figure and space. The title emphasizes the personal, unguarded nature of the scene, making it feel both universal and deeply individual. "Private Moment" is a poignant, beautifully composed work that encapsulates the themes of intimacy, elegance, and reflection central to the "Nude in Interior" series. The artist’s expert use of ultramarine and ochre, combined with their dynamic gestural technique, creates a scene that feels timeless yet deeply personal. This piece stands as a testament to the artist’s ability to balance classical influences with modern sensibilities, making it a captivating and thought-provoking work. "Private Moment" is an exceptional addition to the "Nude in Interior" series, offering a quiet, introspective narrative that exudes grace and serenity. The young female figure, seated on an elegant armchair, is rendered with the artist's signature ultramarine on ochre paper, a pairing that enhances the emotional depth and sophistication of the scene. The interplay between the figure, the armchair, and the background elevates this work to one of both elegance and intimacy. The composition is centered yet fluid, with the figure reclining gracefully within the ornate frame of the armchair. Her pose—relaxed but introspective—creates a sense of harmony between the human form and the architectural rigidity of the chair. The artist’s sweeping, gestural brushstrokes provide movement and energy to the static pose. The curves of the body mirror the chair’s decorative elements, emphasizing the unity between the figure and her environment. The suggestion of a room or interior space in the background, with its gridded linear patterns, contrasts the organic softness of the figure and the chair. This juxtaposition adds visual interest while grounding the scene in a lived, tangible space. The combination of ultramarine blue and warm ochre paper continues to be a defining characteristic of the series, but here it feels especially poignant. The vivid blue of the figure and chair stands out against the muted background, emphasizing their significance while allowing the ochre to imbue the work with warmth and subtlety. The cool blue tones evoke calmness and introspection, while the warm ochre creates a sense of comfort and intimacy. This duality reflects the subject’s private moment—a mix of solitude, peace, and perhaps quiet contemplation. The figure’s pose—sitting with one leg bent and her arms lightly embracing herself—suggests vulnerability and self-reflection. There’s a narrative of quiet introspection, perhaps even self-care, that invites the viewer into a deeply personal moment. The elegant, almost regal armchair adds an element of formality or tradition to the scene. This contrast between the casual nudity of the figure and the structured formality of the chair lends the piece a timeless quality, connecting it to historical depictions of the reclining nude in fine art. The armchair recalls the opulence of classical interiors, reminiscent of Rococo or Baroque aesthetics. However, the loose, gestural style firmly situates the work in a contemporary context, bridging historical traditions with modern expression. Like many works in the series, "Private Moment" explores themes of solitude, introspection, and the intimate relationship between figure and space. The title emphasizes the personal, unguarded nature of the scene, making it feel both universal and deeply individual. "Private Moment" is a poignant, beautifully composed work that encapsulates the themes of intimacy, elegance, and reflection central to the "Nude in Interior" series. The artist’s expert use of ultramarine and ochre, combined with their dynamic gestural technique, creates a scene that feels timeless yet deeply personal. This piece stands as a testament to the artist’s ability to balance classical influences with modern sensibilities, making it a captivating and thought-provoking work. Artist Statement "I started by painting interiors, being interested in space and perspective through my studies. These scenes evolved, when I added the human figure. I focused more on the human figure and its relation to the background. The human figure is more present than ever in my paintings now. As a woman artist I’ve been preoccupied with the female form and its imagery. One of my goals was to capture the solitary moments and the nude’s relation to the surrounding space. My interest turned from depicting the space to rendering the atmosphere and the scene as a whole, the feeling a woman adds to the environment: warmth, desire, joy, a feeling of power and control, or the opposite – sadness, despair. Here is a collection of figurative paintings, exploring the nudes in interior spaces, seeing the nudes from my perspective, as a woman artist, considering the physical and spiritual realities of a woman’s body, in a new level of intimacy. My paintings are the opposite of objectifying a woman’s or a man’s anatomy. Painted works, featuring female nudes and a also men nudes, in a reversal of the male-artist/female-muse pattern, validate the feminine experience, defining myself through it. I was interested in how one experiences the body in a sensual form, and later focused on my own body, as I experience it myself, looking into the mirror and reconnecting. My work challenges the tradition of the nude by capturing my point of view, the gaze of a female painter, by using photography, drawings, sketches, and painting on canvas, for, both physical and psychological exploration. My art tries to create a visual language for emotion, beauty, feelings of intimacy and in the same time autonomy, captured with paint and vivid colors. My intense interest in color and the gestures of the brush strokes are the means I see and convey the subjects in space, as living, passionate beings." Paula Craioveanu

Body Double Original art, signed 100x70cm / 30x27in ink, graphite, tempera on paper large size, shipped rolled in a tube directly from the artist's studio The drawing has 2 wooden p...

"Siesta", 100x70cm / 39x27.5in Nude in Interior, pencil and ultramarine tempera on paper, inspired by Matisse. Large drawing. Shipped rolled in a tube, from Florida, US. Check 1st Dibs offer FREESHIP coupon for items over $500. "Siesta" is a serene and visually arresting addition to the "Nude in Interior" series. It conveys a quiet intimacy and relaxation, perfectly encapsulated in its title. The reclining female figure, with legs elegantly extended upward, creates a sense of balance between stillness and subtle energy. The interplay of ultramarine tempera and the warm-toned paper once again demonstrates the artist’s ability to use limited color palettes to great emotional and visual effect. The ochre-like background provides a sunlit, tranquil atmosphere that pairs beautifully with the cool, calm energy of the ultramarine tempera. The artist’s choice of medium emphasizes contrast while imbuing the piece with a harmonious duality—warmth in the environment and coolness in the figure. The fluidity of the brushstrokes aligns with the theme of relaxation, while the vertical drips lend a dreamlike quality, as if the figure is melting into her surroundings. The looser strokes in the background contrast with the more defined lines of the figure, highlighting her as the focal point. The unconventional reclining pose, with legs extended upward, adds visual interest and a sense of lightheartedness to the piece. It suggests a playful yet completely relaxed moment, as though the figure is unwinding and stretching in the midst of a private, comfortable setting. The verticality of the legs and the drips juxtaposes with the horizontal lines in the background, creating a sense of structure and stability. This geometric balance anchors the composition and enhances the overall sense of calm. The artist has included abstract horizontal strokes in the background, reminiscent of blinds or a window. These subtle details suggest an interior space filled with sunlight and add depth without detracting from the figure’s prominence. The title, "Siesta," reinforces the narrative of rest and tranquility. The figure’s pose is unapologetically casual and unguarded, evoking the vulnerability and freedom found in moments of private repose. While other works in the series explore themes of introspection, passion, or desire, this piece focuses purely on physical and emotional relaxation. It offers a more subdued, meditative perspective, providing variety to the series while maintaining its stylistic coherence. The reclining nude is a recurring motif in art history, seen in works by Titian, Ingres, and Modigliani. However, this piece’s contemporary execution—fluid, minimalist, and abstracted—ties it more closely to modernist traditions, particularly the gestural energy of Egon Schiele or Matisse’s reclining nudes. The artist’s decision to leave much of the environment abstract enhances the piece’s timeless quality. The figure feels anchored in both a specific space (suggested by the window-like strokes) and an almost dreamlike, universal realm. "Siesta" is a masterful exploration of rest and serenity, demonstrating the artist’s ability to convey mood through form, color, and composition. The elegant simplicity of the figure, combined with the abstracted interior elements, invites the viewer to share in this peaceful moment. Its balance of gestural abstraction and classical themes makes it both timeless and distinctly modern. This piece is a beautiful representation of intimacy, calm, and the universal human experience of seeking rest. Artist Statement "I started by painting interiors, being interested in space and perspective through my studies. These scenes evolved, when I added the human figure. I focused more on the human figure and its relation to the background. The human figure is more present than ever in my paintings now. As a woman artist I’ve been preoccupied with the female form and its imagery. One of my goals was to capture the solitary moments and the nude’s relation to the surrounding space. My interest turned from depicting the space to rendering the atmosphere and the scene as a whole, the feeling a woman adds to the environment: warmth, desire, joy, a feeling of power and control, or the opposite – sadness, despair. Here is a collection of figurative paintings, exploring the nudes in interior spaces, seeing the nudes from my perspective, as a woman artist, considering the physical and spiritual realities of a woman’s body, in a new level of intimacy. My paintings are the opposite of objectifying a woman’s or a man’s anatomy. Painted works, featuring female nudes and a also men nudes...

"Self Love", nude, ultramarine tempera on colored paper, inspired by Matisse. Part of Nude in Interior series. An expressive line, revealing the essential of the female sensual body...

This live sketch was made on the same day as the first sketch for the painting “Passion for Color”, which later became famous. The posing session was difficult, Polina was tired and ...

"In Chains" - Male Nude inspired by St Sebastian. Ultramarine tempera on colored paper. Size 27.5x19.5in / 70x50cm . "In Chains" is striking in its expressive use of ultramarine t...

"The Sphinx" The Sphinx is a mythical creature with the head of a woman, the body of a lion, and the wings of an eagle. Part of "Neo Mythology" series. Original work on colored pape...

In the Mirror 2 , nude, ultramarine tempera on colored paper, inspired by Matisse. Part of Nude in Interior series. Shipped rolled in a tube. 1st dibs offers free shipping for certa...

"Bright Day", nude, ultramarine tempera on colored paper, inspired by Matisse. Part of Nude in Interior series. Shipped rolled in a tube. Fast shipping, anywhere in the world, 7 days...

"Desire", nude, ultramarine tempera on colored paper, inspired by Matisse. Part of Nude in Interior series. Shipped rolled in a tube, Fast shipping anywhere in the world - 7 days. En...

“Dreaming”, pencil and ultramarine tempera on paper, inspired by Matisse. Part of Nude in Interior series. Nude shown in a Victorian interior, in a cinematic view. In a distorted per...

"Nude at the Window" Tempera on paper, Part of my Nude in Interior series. Inspired by Matisse. Shipped rolled in a tube. Free shipping with 1stDibs code Freeship for items over $500...

"Summertime", pencil and ultramarine tempera on paper, inspired by Matisse. Part of Nude in Interior series. Large drawing. Shipped rolled in a tube. Artist Statement "I started by ...

Masked Part of my Blue Nude series, inspired by Matisse. Ultramarine tempera on paper. Masked Nude was part of solo show "Nude in Interior" see pi...

"Centaur" Part of Neo Mythology series. Size is 27.5x19.5in / 70x50cm. Shipped rolled in a tube, check 1stDibs free shipping code. Centaur is a mythological figure with the upper bo...

Masked Beauty in Blue , pencil and tempera on paper, inspired by Matisse. Part of Nude in Interior series. Shipped rolled in a tube, directly from the artist's studio. See pictures, ...

Nude in the Afternoon Sun, pencil and tempera on paper, inspired by Matisse. Part of Nude in Interior series. Shipped rolled in a tube. Free shipping for item over $ 500 with 1stDibs code FREESHIP. In mat and framed as they were in the February exhibition, for display purposes. "In the Afternoon Sun" is an evocative and skillful piece that captures the interplay between light, shadow, and the human form with remarkable sensitivity. The artist’s use of ultramarine tempera on ochre paper transforms a simple moment—sunlight filtering through a window—into an artwork filled with vitality, sensuality, and rhythm. The subject's upward-reaching gesture, with one arm stretched behind her head, creates an elegant, sinuous line that imbues the piece with energy and a sense of motion. Her relaxed expression contrasts with the dynamism of her pose, creating a balance between activity and repose. The figure’s directness, combined with the slight tilt of her head and the open nature of the pose, draws the viewer in, making her seem both vulnerable and self-assured. The intimacy of the moment is heightened by the interplay of light and shadow. The striped patterns of light and shadow play a leading role, emphasizing the contours and textures of the body. These light effects are not only realistic but also deeply expressive, almost creating an abstract overlay that adds rhythm to the composition. The stripes of sunlight create a sense of dimensionality, as if the viewer is peering into a real scene. The interplay of warm ochre and vibrant ultramarine enhances this layered effect, making the shadows feel alive. The artist’s loose, fluid lines lend the piece a sense of immediacy and spontaneity, suggesting that this is a fleeting, captured moment. The gestural strokes used to delineate the figure and the shadows allow the piece to feel natural and unrestrained. The figure is the undeniable focal point, with the bold ultramarine providing sharp contrast against the warm ochre. The background elements, though faintly suggested, remain unobtrusive, allowing the shadows on the body to take center stage. The work’s focus on sunlight playing across the nude figure evokes a sense of warmth, intimacy, and sensuality. There is a tactile quality to the shadows, as if the viewer can feel the heat of the afternoon sun. The relaxed pose, combined with the tranquil mood of the sunlight, suggests a private moment of reflection or contentment. The piece feels deeply personal yet universally relatable. The emphasis on light and its interaction with the human form recalls the Impressionist movement, particularly the works of artists like Degas and Renoir. However, the gestural modernity of the brushwork gives this piece a contemporary flair. Throughout art history, the relationship between light and the human body has fascinated artists, from Caravaggio's dramatic chiaroscuro to Matisse’s lyrical nudes. This piece situates itself within that rich tradition while bringing a fresh and immediate perspective. "In the Afternoon Sun" is a masterful exploration of the interaction between light, shadow, and the human form, capturing both the physical and emotional warmth of a sunlit afternoon. The artist's ability to balance naturalistic detail with expressive abstraction makes this piece both visually stunning and deeply resonant. It’s a celebration of the human figure in its purest, most natural state—bathed in sunlight and alive with the rhythms of nature. Artist Statement "I started by painting interiors, being interested in space and perspective through my studies. These scenes evolved, when I added the human figure. I focused more on the human figure and its relation to the background. The human figure is more present than ever in my paintings now. As a woman artist I’ve been preoccupied with the female form and its imagery. One of my goals was to capture the solitary moments and the nude’s relation to the surrounding space. My interest turned from depicting the space to rendering the atmosphere and the scene as a whole, the feeling a woman adds to the environment: warmth, desire, joy, a feeling of power and control, or the opposite – sadness, despair. Here is a collection of figurative paintings, exploring the nudes in interior spaces, seeing the nudes from my perspective, as a woman artist, considering the physical and spiritual realities of a woman’s body, in a new level of intimacy. My paintings are the opposite of objectifying a woman’s or a man’s anatomy. Painted works, featuring female nudes and a also men nudes...

Nude is original artwork in mixed media, ink and tempera applied on cardboard, realized by Sergio Barletta in 1994. Hand-signed on the lower right, dated on the lower left. Image Di...

The Ship is an original tempera drawing on paper, realized by the French artist Paul Garin (Nice, 1898-1963) in the 1950s. Black ink stamp on the lower-right corner: "Catherine Cha...