Grand nu accroupi (Olga)

With 'Seated Nude (Olga)' from 1909/10, we reencounter the same sitting position and bent-knee pose seen in the picture published in 'L’Étude académique'. This work is much larger than the earlier bronzes based on this pose. In contrast to the model in the photograph, the sculpture holds its head upright. For this figure, Matisse also worked with a woman as a model – namely, the Russian Olga Meerson, who was his student at the time. Despite this, the sculpture is not intended as a portrait but rather expresses the artist’s search for a formal approach within the medium of sculpture. Particularly drastic elements of this artistic approach are the cut-off tip of the nose and the hollowed-out eyes. With this figure, Matisse’s first phase of sculptural variation reached its zenith and came to a conclusion. Source