Aureum Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

"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...

Artist Biography Zhang Chunyang was born in 1975 in Changchun, Jilin. She earned her B.F.A at Jilin University of Arts in 1999, and studied at Central Acadamy of Fine Arts, Beijing ...

'Chinatown, San Francisco', gouache on fine art paper, by Edward Wilson Currier (1903). Spofford Alley in San Francisco's Chinatown is best known for an address (number 36) where Dr. Sun Yat-Sen plotted the overthrow of China's last dynasty. During Prohibition, it was the site of turf battles over local bootlegging and protection rackets. Today it is lined with seniors' community centres. However, the quiet alley livens up in the evenings when a Chinese orchestra strikes up a tune, mah-jongg games begin with a cascade of clicking tiles, and barbers and florists use the pretence of sweeping their doorsteps to gossip. In this artist's depiction, a man smokes a long-stemmed Chinese pipe under the awning and colourful lanterns hanging from the wooden supports while a child looks on. The artwork is interesting from several standpoints including architectural, cultural and historical. Shortly after this work was painted, the neighbourhood was completely destroyed in the 1906 earthquake that levelled most of the city. From 1910 to 1940, Chinese immigrants were detained at the Angel Island...

Mid-century lyrical surrealist abstract watercolour on paper by French artist Jean Clerté, signed and dated bottom right. Presented in mid-century frame. Jean Clerté , born in 1930 in Saint-Savin-sur-Gartempe in Vienne, is a French painter, engraver, draftsman, watercolourist and sculptor . This work is a great example of his more humorous and expressive work influenced by Alechinsky from the late 1960s onwards. There is a light playfulness and yet the watercolours are more vivid than his previous palette. Jean Clerté works in series. His sequential narrations testify both to a youthful spontaneity and to a perfect mastery in the distribution of forms and images on the painted surface. The narration is not only an accumulation of juxtaposed fragments and symbols, it forms a whole, it takes on and gives meaning. In general, we can say of Clerté that he practices an “eco-art” that feeds on primary hungers: the feeling of being united with nature, the vegetable, the mineral, the aquatic. In his colourful canvases, his inks, his boxes, his objects, like a shaman on the path of his dreams, the painter Clerté mounts an assault on beasts and demons, elves and gnomes. From the Poitevin marshes to the tropical forests emerges a fauna caught in the meanders of a design that marvels at the appearance of these grotesque idols. Jean Clerté began to draw and paint at a very young age, and at the age of 15 he enrolled at the École des Beaux-Arts in Poitiers. Then in 1949, curious about the capital, he moved to Paris. Having very few financial resources, he could not continue his studies at first, worked as a model to survive, and met other artists; he was then admitted to the studio of Ossip Zadkine and, from 1952, he was also able to study engraving at Atelier 17 of Stanley William Hayter, an English engraver and printer living in Paris associated in the 1930s with surrealism. At the end of the 1960s, he worked alongside Pierre Alechinsky, founding member of the Cobra movement, engraving Alechinsky's originals, benefiting from his advice, and discovering acrylic as a medium. From 1976, Jean Clerté became associate professor at Hayter. Clerté had taught previously, in 1971 at the Salzburg Summer University and in 1972 he gave courses at the Paris-Sorbonne University . In 1981, he was appointed professor at the School of Decorative Arts , where he had Maïlys Seydoux-Dumas as a student and, from 1983 to 1988, he was Alechinsky's assistant professor at the Paris School of Fine Arts. His first works are part of the current of lyrical abstraction, and are nourished by impressions of nature (landscape motifs, e.g. forest fires, waterscapes), then around 1968, encouraged by Alechinsky, he rejects abstraction, and his work becomes more figurative with expressive and humorous elements. From this period his colours are more subdued, often with pastel tones, he works on series. Jean Clerté has created a world in a space where drawing, painting, objects participate in a playful figuration. From his drawings were born sculptures and sometimes mobiles (Le Moulin à dessin). If it is the artist who makes astonishing, polychrome, whimsical “toys”, it is the painter who appeals to adults through his caustic and satirical humour. His first exhibitions in France took place at the Galerie Massol , then at the Galerie Pascal...

“Blue Sun” Tempera pencil charcoal on blue paper Shipped rolled in a tube 25x3x3in. Drawing was originally in mat. This piece, Blue Sun, is a striking and evocative work that captur...

"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...

"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

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...

"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...

"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...

The work is titled "The Bathers" and is signed at the lower right "CARENA. "The scene depicts a natural setting in which two naked maidens are chatting as they are about to bathe; be...

Late 20th Century watercolour on paper of a naked female figure before an open window. Signed bottom right but as yet not deciphered. Presented in carved, white painted wood frame. ...