Nude X 1980 - 1981

Editor: This is Anthony Fry’s oil on canvas painting, "Nude X." The bright red shirt really pops against the pale skin tones and white background. What can you tell me about it? Curator: Looking at the visible brushstrokes and the scale, I'm interested in the physical act of its creation. What sort of labor went into producing this large canvas? And what societal norms dictated the availability and cost of the pigments used? Editor: That’s interesting, I hadn’t thought about the cost of the materials. Curator: The texture and the colour choices make me wonder how this artwork was received in the art market, and what social values it reflects or challenges, considering the history of nude paintings and their consumption. Editor: So, by considering the materials, we can consider the work's place in society. Curator: Exactly. Understanding how it was made helps us understand its cultural value.