Untitled (Standing female nude)

Artist August Mosca American (b. Italy), about 1905 - 2003

Date1958

MediumInk, graphite, crayon (rubbed and/or dissolved), wove paper

DimensionsSight: 13 5/8 x 9 1/2 in. (34.6 x 24.1 cm)
Frame Dimensions: 21 5/8 x 18 3/4 x 1 1/8 in. (54.9 x 47.6 x 2.9 cm)

ClassificationsDrawings

Credit LineDonated by Stephen J. Sills, M.D. in loving memory of his wife Nancy Mintz Sills.

Object number2008.23.6

On View

Not on view

Collections

Modern and Contemporary Art
Works on Paper

SignedLower right: "August Mosca 1958"

DescriptionStanding nude female. Full figured, black hair drawn up into a bun on the top of her head. Drawing cuts the figure at the ankles. Figure stands in strong contrapposto with weight on her right foot. Her right arm is bent up and inward at the elbow with the right index finger raised in front of her neck and hooked onto a greenish drapery that flows over her shoulder, back and right side.

The color of the figure may be the same as the original ground or may have a slight pink tint added to it. The whole ground has been rubbed with the side of a pencil in soft, slightly arced sweeping lines that are vertically oriented. The figure is drawn in ink and surrounded by a rectangle of red ground colored with some kind of crayon that has been rubbed and possibly softened further with a solvent. The drapery is similarly colored with yellow over blue. Yellow crayon coloring has been used on the right side of the sheet.

In the modern classical style related to the work of Gaston Lachaise, Aristide Maillol and Elie Nadelman among others.

Gilt frame with molded inner and outer edges flanking a flat rail that has alternating ornaments of a raised disc (possibly a brass upholstery nail head) alternating with a similar disc with an "x" ---probably of resin or epoxy--applied on top of it. There are several areas of the frame that have small scattered holes, possibly meant to create the illusion of worm holes and aging. The holes do not go thru, unlike worm holes, and it is likely that the frame is 20th century. Plexi glazing and cream colored mat, appears to be acid free.