Standing Female Nude with Raised Arms
Drawing on paper • Unknown artist; likely an Academic or Studio Life Drawing session study
Style & Movement
Modern Realism / Academic Life Study
Medium & Technique
Charcoal or soft graphite on paper; executed with gestural outline and broad side-stroke shading
Creation Period
Mid-20th Century (circa 1940-1960)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 18 x 24 inches; Vertical Portrait format
Subject Description
A vertical composition featuring a standing female nude in profile, facing right. The figure's arms are raised and folded behind her head. The work uses a confident, continuous contour line with soft tonal modeling on the back and torso to suggest volume.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair to Good; visible smudging and handling marks consistent with sketchbook or studio storage
Estimated Market Value
$100 - $300 (as an anonymous decorative or study piece)
Auction Estimate
$50 - $150
Provenance History
Unknown; likely part of a student or professional artist's private portfolio of anatomical studies
Art Historical Significance
Representative of mid-century pedagogical approaches to human anatomy, emphasizing gesture and form over fine detail; lacks the specific stylistic markers of a major master but shows professional competence.
Notable Features
The use of the side of the charcoal for rapid tonal blocking creates a strong rhythmic contrast against the sharp contour lines of the arms.
Condition Issues
Surface smudging, minor foxing or oxidation spots on the right side, light creasing, and evidence of charcoal transfer from adjacent pages.
Conservation Recommendations
Professional cleaning of surface dirt; mounting with acid-free archival materials; framing under UV-protective glass to prevent fading and further smudging.