Cuno Amiet - Kneeling Nude

The formal resemblances between the young woman kneeling in a stylized pose and the figure of Truth in the triptych of the same title at the Kunstmuseum Solothurn suggests that Cuno Amiet created this work as he prepared for the larger-than-life mural. The Im Obersteg Collection’s nude boasts rich pastel flesh tones, enhanced by echoes of the golden-yellow background and the grayish-blue edges; the framing as well as the precious golden yellow underscore the meditative aspect of the depiction. The figure still has something of a portrait about her; the head and arms of the unknown dark-haired model Ruth are held in a slightly asymmetrical pose. The young woman in the Basel collector’s painting seems lost in contemplation, her gaze drawn by an imaginary focus. While Amiet took inspiration from compositions by Ferdinand Hodler for the iconography and formal design of the work, he blunted the exaggerated dramatism that is characteristic of Hodler’s art. The flowers in the young woman’s hands are another quote from Hodler that Amiet adapted in a number of variations. Earlier female nudes by the artist, dated 1897 and 1904, in which the model is captured in a frontal view, likewise feature blossoms, intimating a bond between the female principle and nature.

Aufsatz Viola Radlach, Katalog S. 144, PDF, 143 KB

Provenance

Erworben beim Künstler von Karl Im Obersteg

Literature

Baumgartner/von Tavel 1995
Michael Baumgartner und Hans Christoph von Tavel: Die Sammlung Karl und Jürg Im Obersteg, hrsg. von der Stiftung «Sammlung Karl und Jürg Im Obersteg», Bern, Bern: Benteli Verlag, 1995, S. 166, Nr. 101, Abb.

Mentha/Zaugg 2002
Henriette Mentha und Urs Zaugg: Cuno Amiet und die Schicksalsnacht in München, Broschüre zur Ausstellung «Cuno Amiet - entflammt. In München verbrannt, am Thunersee neu geschaffen», Oberhofen: Stiftung Karl und Jürg Im Obersteg, 2002, S. 18, Abb. S. 19

Exhibitions

Wien 2003
Im Banne der Moderne: Picasso, Chagall, Jawlensky, BA-CA Kunstforum, Wien, 4. Sept.-30. Nov. 2003, Nr. 1

Basel 2004
Die Sammlung Im Obersteg im Kunstmuseum Basel. Picasso, Chagall, Jawlensky, Soutine, Kunstmuseum Basel, 14. Febr.-2. Mai 2004, hrsg. von der Stiftung Im Obersteg, Basel: Schwabe Verlag, 2004, Nr. 2

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