Bust of a Nude Woman
Watercolor over pencil lines,
28 x 19 cm
Provenance:
Private collection
Bob Ten Hoope, a Dutch artist born in 1920, spanned the 20th century developing a prolific and varied body of work marked by remarkable mastery of several artistic techniques. Known for his portraits and genre scenes, Ten Hoope captured the essence of his subjects with sensitivity and depth characteristic of his style.
The work "Bust of a Nude Woman," created in 2004, testifies to this skill. This watercolor, combined with pencil lines, reveals a half-nude female figure. The lightness and fluidity of the brushstrokes convey a certain intimacy and softness, reinforced by the use of subtle and varied colors. The woman's face, though simply sketched, exudes palpable emotion, accentuated by the color palette that evokes both warmth and melancholy.
The dedication "Happy Birthday André 90 years," inscribed at the bottom right and signed by the artist, gives this piece a personal and touching dimension. This work continues the tradition of portraiture while adding a contemporary touch through Ten Hoope's free and expressive approach.
The watercolor on paper allows Ten Hoope to explore transparency and luminosity, qualities often sought in this medium but which he manages to sublimate through his intuitive and spontaneous approach. This piece is not only a demonstration of his technical virtuosity but also a tribute to feminine beauty and the delicacy of the captured moment.