The beautiful model 1923

Andre Derain's 'The Beautiful Model' is an oil painting full of vibrant energy. The way Derain applied paint here is fascinating; a bit like he’s wrestling with the medium, not just trying to copy what he sees. He has an almost sculptural approach to the figure. Look at how he uses these thick, choppy brushstrokes to build up the volume of her body, it is a very physical process. The ochre and sienna tones give this beautiful model a sun-baked appearance, which contrast the black background. The real magic is in the details, like the small touches of white on the model’s torso and the blues and greens of the block she is sitting on. These accents of colour capture the subtleties of light, giving a feeling of dynamism to the pose. There is something of Courbet’s nudes in this work, a similar sensuality and solidity, but with a uniquely modern energy. Like a conversation that continues across time.