Liggende naakte vrouw, de armen onder het hoofd - Armand Rassenfosse

A delicate sanguine chalk study of a reclining female figure by Belgian artist Armand Rassenfosse, dated 1932.

Armand Rassenfosse, a Belgian artist associated with the Symbolist movement, produced this study in 1932. The work depicts a reclining female figure, her arms positioned beneath her head in a posture of repose. Executed in sanguine chalk, the drawing demonstrates the artist's technical command over soft, atmospheric shading and delicate line work. The medium allows for a warm, monochromatic palette that emphasises the softness of the skin and the gentle contours of the body.

Rassenfosse was a close associate of Félicien Rops and shared a similar interest in the depiction of the female form. Unlike the more provocative works often associated with the period, this study focuses on a quiet, domestic intimacy. The figure is captured in a moment of stillness, with the artist using minimal strokes to suggest the weight and volume of the body against the surface. The composition is sparse, focusing entirely on the subject without the distraction of a background or secondary elements.

The artist's signature and the date are visible in the lower left corner, providing a clear provenance for this late-career piece. Rassenfosse's approach to the nude is characterised by a balance between anatomical accuracy and a lyrical, almost ethereal quality. This print captures the texture of the original chalk, preserving the subtle gradations of tone that define the figure's form. It is a representative example of the artist's draftsmanship, reflecting his ability to convey mood through simple, economical means.