Study in Repose

A brilliantly executed composition that presents a solitary, stylised nude figure leaning against a plinth in what appears to be an abstracted artist’s studio or model room, painted in oil onto canvas.

Composed in 1972, the painting captures a quiet moment of introspection and stillness, with the figure’s curved posture offering a gentle contrast to the geometric rigidity of the surrounding environment.

Executed in a distinctly modernist style, the composition is constructed from flat, overlapping planes in muted tones of olive green, slate blue, warm orange, and deep maroon. The palette is cool and contemplative, creating a sense of psychological distance. A bold vertical panel in ultramarine anchors the left side of the work, drawing the eye toward the model. The right side recedes into architectural partitions and screens, painted in icy blue hues that hint at spatial depth without offering realism.

The artist’s brushwork is smooth and restrained, with minimal surface texture. Shadows and contours are suggested through tonal blocks rather than modelled detail, emphasising form over naturalism. This painting exemplifies a mid-century approach to figuration – introspective, architectural, and emotionally withheld – where the human form becomes part of a studied, constructed environment.

This oil on canvas is housed in a complementary wood frame painted silver. Both painting and frame are in good vintage condition.

Size: 67 x 83 cm (including frame)