Artwork Page for Wave

Details / Information for Wave

Wave

1895–98

Aristide Maillol

(French, 1861–1944)
Culture
France, late 19th Century
Medium
wood engraving
Support
Japanese paper
Measurements
Image: 16.9 x 19.6 cm (6 5/8 x 7 11/16 in.); Sheet: 25.1 x 30.3 cm (9 7/8 x 11 15/16 in.)
Credit Line
Dudley P. Allen Fund 1997.5
Catalogue raisonné
Guerin v.I, no.8
Impression
artist's proof 3
Public Domain
You can copy, modify, and distribute this work, all without asking permission. Learn more about CMA's Open Access Initiative.
Location
Not on view
Print
?

Did You Know?

This print dates from a period when Aristide Maillol used his wife, Clotilde, as his primary model.

Description

The color woodcuts of Katsushika Hokusai were highly esteemed. One of his most famous prints, The Great Wave off Kanagawa (1823-31), is a striking image of an enormous cresting wave. Maillol exploited the curling water motif to achieve an energetic linear design that surrounds and cushions the nude woman but also creates a lively contrast to the large, flat white shape of her body. A precursor to Maillol's future work as a sculptor, Wave reveals the artist's interest in conveying the sensual curves of the female form.
A horizontally oriented black ink woodcut depicts a reclining nude woman with light skin tone. Facing right, her long dark hair flows into rhythmic, undulating patterns filling the background. Dense, high-contrast hatching and thick black strokes define her form. One arm reaches toward her head while the other rests on her torso. Handwritten text and a monogram appear in the bottom margin of the off-white paper.

Wave

1895–98

Aristide Maillol

(French, 1861–1944)
France, late 19th Century

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