FRANCIS NEWTON SOUZA (1924-2002)

The seated nude figure pulls her right leg to her chest emphasizing the curvatures of her thigh and breast. Inspired by Matisse's treatment of the subject, Souza's rendition is imbued with a sensual eroticism accentuated by the bold and fluid line and softness of the color palette that renders the nude. The combination of the red chair and the scattering of bright orange and green adds further contrast to the erotically charged mise en scene.