01 Painting, The Art Of The Nude, Tom Wesselman's Monica Sitting with Mondrian, with footnotes # 133

Tom Wesselmann, (New York, Ohio, 1931-2004)
Detail; Monica Sitting with Mondrian, c. 1989
Screenprint
41 x 27 in
Private collection

Tom Wesselmann, (New York, Ohio, 1931-2004)
Monica Sitting with Mondrian, c. 1989
Screenprint
41 x 27 in
Private collection

Mondrian refers to the artist whose painting is shown behind the model.

Wesselmann’s most famous series, “Great American Nude” (1961–73), channels the brazen energy of American advertising and features flat, faceless female figures whom the artist often situated among stars and stripes. More on this painting

The artist always refrains from developing the facial features of the sitters, as is the case in the work presented here. The attractive model Monica sits undressed and in a lascivious pose in front of one of the modern classics, a work by Piet Mondrian.

Pieter Cornelis Mondriaan (7 March 1872 – 1 February 1944), was a Dutch painter and theoretician who is regarded as one of the greatest artists of the 20th century. He is known for being one of the pioneers of 20th century abstract art, as he changed his artistic direction from figurative painting to an increasingly abstract style, until he reached a point where his artistic vocabulary was reduced to simple geometric elements. More on Pieter Cornelis Mondriaan

Tom Wesselmann (1931–2004) was one of the leading American Pop artists of the 1960s. Departing from Abstract Expressionism, he explored classical representations of the nude, still life, and landscape, while incorporating everyday objects and advertising ephemera.

Wesselmann was drafted into the US Army in 1952, two years into the Korean War. During his military service, he learned—then taught—aerial photography interpretation, and began to draw cartoons about his experiences. Upon his return to his hometown of Cincinnati, he completed a BA in psychology at the University of Cincinnati and began taking classes at the Art Academy of Cincinnati. In fall 1956, he moved to New York City to study art at the Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art. At Cooper Union, he met Claire Selley, who would become his wife and lifelong muse. 

Living in Brooklyn, Wesselmann supported himself by selling cartoons to the Saturday Evening Post, “gag” magazines, and advertising agencies. In the late 1950s, he cofounded the Judson Gallery in the West Village with Marc Ratliff and Jim Dine. After completing his studies at Cooper Union, Wesselmann spent three years teaching high school art and math. During the evening, he continued to expand his own artistic practice, making small portrait collages. 

Wesselmann is highly regarded for his Great American Nude series (1961–73), which combines sensual depictions of the female figure with references to art history and popular culture. Many of these lounging female subjects were painted in patriotic red, white, and blue. In the late 1960s Wesselmann created close-up views of the nude in the Bedroom Paintings (1968–83). More on Tom Wesselmann




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