Abraham Leon Kroll
American, 1884–1974
The painting of nude female figures is an established artistic tradition that was enduringly popular in Europe, but not especially so in America. Kroll painted many similar figure studies during the middle and latter part of his career, suggesting that, "the amazing variety of form and color seems inexhaustible."
"Sleeping Nude" is a typical studio picture, combining figure painting (a staple of the academic tradition) with still life to create an environment of contemplative beauty and luxury. In this composition, Kroll constructed the bedding with broad, blunt brushstrokes reminiscent of the technique of Cézanne. By contrast, the figure itself is carefully delineated and smoothly finished. During a career that spanned over fifty years, Kroll was able to adapt his style to his subject. While he adhered to realism, his eclectic training and artistic influences engendered a facility with styles ranging from Impressionism to the stylized naturalism that emerged in the 1930s.
American Paintings from the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts, 2006, cat. no. 68, p. 168.
American, 1884–1974
Sleeping Nude in an Interior
about 1925
Object Type:
Painting
Creation Place:
North America, American, New York
Dimensions:
26 in. x 32 in. (66.04 cm x 81.28 cm)
Medium and Support:
Oil on canvas
Accession Number:
1999.0020
Credit Line:
Gift of Fred and Ellie Ernst
The painting of nude female figures is an established artistic tradition that was enduringly popular in Europe, but not especially so in America. Kroll painted many similar figure studies during the middle and latter part of his career, suggesting that, "the amazing variety of form and color seems inexhaustible."
"Sleeping Nude" is a typical studio picture, combining figure painting (a staple of the academic tradition) with still life to create an environment of contemplative beauty and luxury. In this composition, Kroll constructed the bedding with broad, blunt brushstrokes reminiscent of the technique of Cézanne. By contrast, the figure itself is carefully delineated and smoothly finished. During a career that spanned over fifty years, Kroll was able to adapt his style to his subject. While he adhered to realism, his eclectic training and artistic influences engendered a facility with styles ranging from Impressionism to the stylized naturalism that emerged in the 1930s.
American Paintings from the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts, 2006, cat. no. 68, p. 168.
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