Louise Nevelson (1899-1988) stands as one of the most important artists of the 20th century. She is renowned for her monochromatic sculptural wooden constructions.
However, it is important to emphasize that Nevelson toiled and experimented for nearly 30 years before arriving at her signature style in the late 1950s.
In recent years there has been an increase in scholarship, awareness, and collector interest in Nevelson's early work, as she was an early adopter of modernism in America. This drawing is a fine example from this era.
Increasing scholarly and market attention has been placed on Nevelson's early work. For example in 2018 the Whitney Museum presented "The Face and the Moon" which explored Nevelson's prints and drawings from the first three decades of her career.
The 1930's are a particularly interesting time for Nevelson. After she divorced in 1931, she was finally liberated to devote herself to art-making. She studied at the Art Students League in New York and made several influential trips to Europe where she began studying with Hans Hoffmann. Back in New York, she worked briefly for the Works Progress Administration, where she met Jackson Pollock, Willem de Kooning and befriended other "downtown" New York artists.
While Nevelson had a long exhibition history, it was only in the 1950s that she got a foothold in significant galleries. For most of Nevelson's adult life, selling art was a struggle.
This unique and elegant line drawing exemplifies a distinct expression of modernism. The influence of both Matisse and Modigliani is evident. The seated figure is rendered with lines that are bold and stylized, almost sculptural.
Click here to see another early figurative drawing by Louise Nevelson from the 1930's.
Caviar20 specializes in Louise Nevelson's works on paper. This is the largest drawing we have handled to date. It addition to its size it is also exceptionally beautiful.
Questions about this piece? Contact us or call +1.416.704.1720.
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Untitled "Seated Female Nude"
USA, circa 1930s
Pencil on paper
Signed by the artist, bottom center
20.75"H 13.5"W (work)
28.75"H 21.5"W (framed)
Framed with museum glass
Very good condition
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