Two full-length standing Female Nudes, turned to the right
- Artist: William Etty
- Date: 1815 - 1845
- Medium: oil on millboard
- Museum: The Courtauld Gallery
- Collection record: The Courtauld Gallery website
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About this artwork
This is the Two full-length standing Female Nudes, turned to the right by William Etty. The canvas shows two young women, rendered in full-length poses, both looking slightly to their right, their bodies arranged in a calm yet slightly dynamic composition. Etty, an English painter of the early 19th century, was famous for his meticulous study of anatomy and his bold use of color. Here the figures are depicted in naturalistic flesh tones, with subtle shading that gives a sense of volume and light falling across their bodies. The oil on millboard surface gives the paint a slightly matte finish, which accentuates the softness of the skin and the delicate folds of their draped garments. Though the work dates from 1815–1845, it reflects the classical ideals that were popular in Britain at the time, and it also shows Etty’s confidence in tackling the human form with honesty and technical skill. The composition’s balance between the two figures invites viewers to consider both the individuality and the unity of the human body in art.
See it in person
Two full-length standing Female Nudes, turned to the right hangs in The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House, London. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
