Nude 1984

Carlos Alonso made this Nude, with who knows what materials, and I'm already trying to figure out his process. Look at this drawing, particularly how the bold, simplified outline of the body contrasts with the detail in the floral backdrop. The texture is so interesting, from the soft pillow to the busy wallpaper. The lines are confident, but not overworked. Take a look at the way the background flowers are rendered, their dense concentration and dark colours, versus the thin, bright lines that define the figure. They almost vibrate! This reminds me how beauty and discomfort often exist together. There's a similarity to Matisse, in that he also liked to combine vibrant backgrounds with simplified figures. It’s like Alonso is saying, "Let's have a conversation about beauty and art, but let's not take it too seriously." Art is always an ongoing conversation, isn't it? We just add our voices to the mix.