Artwork Description

Title: Nude
Artist: Christian Silvain
Date: 1978
Medium: Pencil on paper
Dimensions: 70 × 33 cm (27.56 × 12.99 in)

1. Artwork Identification
This rare pencil drawing by Belgian artist Christian Silvain, Title:d Nude, dates to 1978 and features a striking rear-view study of a standing female figure rendered with assured, classical draftsmanship. Measuring 70 by 33 cm, the work is executed in graphite on paper and signed prominently at the lower left. It exemplifies Silvain’s technical mastery and sensitivity to form in a minimalist yet intimate composition.

2. Artistic Style and Influences
Nude stands apart from Silvain’s later, more psychologically charged mixed-media works, aligning instead with academic figuration. Though widely known for his Pop-inflected paintings and emotionally symbolic assemblages, this early work reveals the influence of 19th-century academic realism and life drawing traditions. It testifies to Silvain’s solid foundation in classical techniques before his eventual turn to surrealism and conceptual exploration, shaped in part by his admiration for Paul Delvaux.

3. Historical Context
Completed in 1978, this work belongs to the early, formative stage of Silvain’s career, a period less documented but crucial to understanding his artistic evolution. At the time, Silvain had already established himself in European art circles with a growing exhibition history and connections to figures such as Guy Pieters. This drawing is part of his only known sketch collection and provides a rare glimpse into his disciplined early practice prior to his thematic shift toward psychological and symbolic narratives.

4. Provenance
Provenance documentation can be provided upon contact.

5. Condition and Conservation
The artwork is in very good condition considering its age. The paper exhibits a uniform yellowing consistent with natural aging, but there are no visible tears, foxing, or other major issues. The graphite remains clear and well-preserved. Archival framing is recommended to ensure long-term preservation.

6. Artistic Significance
As an early and academically rigorous work, Nude holds significant scholarly value within Christian Silvain’s oeuvre. It evidences his foundational skill as a draftsman—an aspect often overshadowed by his later multimedia practice—and reinforces his capacity for classical representation. For collectors and scholars alike, this drawing not only enriches the understanding of Silvain’s trajectory but also stands as a rare testament to his artistic versatility and enduring engagement with the human figure.