Nude Woman Reclining, Seen from the Back

Van Gogh's 1887 nude woman reclining seen from the back belongs to the small body of nude figure studies he made during his Paris years, departing from his usual subjects of landscapes and portrait studies. Working from the back of the figure was both a compositional choice — the anonymity of the turned figure making character less relevant than form — and a continuation of a tradition from Velázquez and Ingres through to Courbet's realist nudes. Van Gogh's treatment is less academic and more direct than either tradition, the Paris period palette giving the skin a vivid warmth. The work is currently unlocated or in private hands.

The reclining figure seen from behind focuses attention on the body's curved form and the quality of light on skin. Van Gogh's Paris palette renders the warm flesh tones with more chromatic variety than academic convention, shadows carrying cool blues and purples. Brushwork is direct and observational rather than polished or idealizing.