'Standing Nude Study' by Louis Latapie (c. 1930)

'Standing Nude Study', pastel on art paper, by Louis Latapie (circa 1930). There is something very pure in the naked human body, but for some that purity can veer towards pruriency. These sorts of dichotomies are perhaps what the artist was attempting to overcome with the subject standing fully nude in front of the artwork's view and the artist himself. Whatever the ideas behind the painting, from an aesthetic point of view the work is impressive. It is a thoroughly modern artwork created just as the artist was transitioning from figurative to more abstract work. Around this time he associated himself with Georges Braque and especially Roger Bissière, a friendship that would be mutually beneficial and would last for over forty years. The painting is in good condition. It is signed by the artist in the lower right hand corner. On the backside of the work, a certificate is affixed dated November 25th, 1988 by the authenticating authority which certifies its origins. This also indicates the work was completed between 1928 and 1930. The artwork has been newly framed with a French-style linen slip and glazed with museum-quality glass. That is, anti-reflective and UV-protected. Upon request, a video of the artwork may be provided.

About the Artist: Louis Latapie (1891 - 1972) was a highly celebrated artist who enjoyed an international reputation which continues today. During his long career he exhibited regularly at the major Paris Salons, including the Salon des Indépendants, the Salon d’Automne and the Salon des Tuileries. He had numerous individual and group exhibitions including Art et Résistance Musée d’Art Moderne, Paris in 1946. On his death in 1971, he was honoured, like Braque and Picasso, with a major retrospective at the Palais des Papes in Avignon. Further comprehensive retrospectives of his work were held in 1988 at the Musée Rapin and the Musée des Augustins. Appearing in numerous exhibitions and sold in the major auction houses, his works can be found today in the collections of museums worldwide including the Musée National d’Art Moderne, Centre Georges Pompidou, (Paris); Musée d’Art Moderne, (Paris); Musée d’Art Moderne (Geneva); and the city museums of Toulouse, Avignon and Poitiers. 

Dimensions with frame:

H 60 cm / 23.6"

W 43.5 cm / 17.1"

Dimensions without frame:

H 46 cm / 18.1"

W 30.5 cm / 12"