Gustave Courbet's Reclining Nude

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be almost anyone. She
gazes wistfully at the ground to her left.

The woman is rendered very softly and is in a very sensuous pose. This
picture would have been found scandalous for its sexual overtones as was
Courbet's La Demoiselles au bord de la Seine. A scarlet cloth lies in
front of her; it has a very rumpled look which has sexual implications. The
vacant, wistful look and the languid crossing of her arms suggests that she
is thinking of a lover who has just left her. The careful shadowing of her
facial features leads one to believe she has something to hide from public
knowledge. It is not covered enough, however, for one to believe she has
any shame for appearing in so public a place in such a position; this, too,
would have been found scandalous in the 1860's. Now, however, compared to
such displays of sexuality and nudity as found in magazines such as
Penthouse and Playgirl or X-rated movies, the picture is perceived as a
modest, proper display of sexuality. ...

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there is very little color
other than black, aside from a few spots of red and gray. Also in the
middle ground is the billowing canopy under which the woman reclines. Upon
close inspection one can see the canopy is gray and blue striped with thin
stripes of scarlet. The canopy appears to be blowing gently in the wind. A
loose rope sways slightly. It curves gently to the right.

The background is beautifully executed. Behind the nude are the edge of
the beach, the ocean, and the night sky. The beach is very dark as is the
ocean. However, if one looks closely at the ocean can see the gentle waves
of the sea and two tiny sailboats on the horizon. The sky has the beauty
of the ...

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