John Duncan Fergusson (1874-1961)

Fergusson viewed sculpture as having an integral part in his practice and there are many parallels between his works in two and three dimensions. His statuesque painted nudes of 1910-12 lent themselves naturally to a three-dimensional progression resulting in figurines which embrace the female form and celebrate its voluptuousness. The present work, conceived in 1920, also shows the Eastern influences of Indian temple goddesses noted in the artist's sketchbooks. (see K. Simister, Living Paint J.D. Fergusson, Edinburgh, 2001, pp. 70-73).