Framed Etching, The Nude, Joana Plikionyte (Lithuanian, 1943)

Joana Plikionyte
The Nude
Colour etching, signed by the artist
Frame size 26 × 24 cm
Image size 5 × 6 cm
 
In this intimate and delicately worked etching, Joana Plikionyte presents a solitary female figure caught in a moment of quiet self-possession. The fine, economical lines give the composition a gentle clarity, while the restrained palette is punctuated by a sweep of warm gilt tones overhead. Plikionyte’s handling of scale heightens the sense of privacy, the small image drawing the viewer in as though invited to observe a fleeting gesture.
The artist’s interest in classical form is evident, yet the work feels distinctly contemporary, shaped by her subtle use of colour and her carefully modulated textures. A small piece, though confidently executed and full of presence.