The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of July 19, 2026

A vertically oriented lithograph in sanguine depicts a woman with light skin tone from behind. Her hair is gathered in a bun as she turns slightly right. Fine, reddish hatching and scribbled lines create form and shadow, occasionally revealing the light paper beneath. A fabric wrap drapes around her hips with loose, rhythmic strokes. In the lower right corner, a small circular monogram mark appears.

Woman Seen from the Back

c. 1900–1941

Aristide Maillol

(French, 1861–1944)
France, 20th century
lithograph printed in sanguine
Mr. and Mrs. Lewis B. Williams Collection 1941.504
Catalogue raisonné: Guérin v.II, no.272
Location: Not on view

Description

Maillol was interested in conveying the sensual curves of the female form. As a sculptor he worked from both memory and drawings. He made numerous studies of the nude which are related to, if not directly preparatory for his sculptures. He explained, "The important thing is the general idea...I am seeking beauty, not character."
  • Changing Dimensions: Works on Paper by Sculptors. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (November 22, 1995-January 24, 1996).
    Exhibition of the Month: Of Wood and Stone. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (January 15-June 2, 1949).
  • {{cite web|title=Woman Seen from the Back|url=false|author=Aristide Maillol|year=c. 1900–1941|access-date=19 July 2026|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1941.504