ABOUT THE WORK

The female nude is one of the abiding subject matter of Cesar Legaspi, the National Artist known for his unique take on Cubism. This work, however, is notable for its naturalistic approach, with no distortion. With her back turned to the viewer, the nude is all sinuous curves, which are further emphasized by her pose as she balances herself on a dresser. A mirror, with its flourish of a frame, repeats her, but subtly, showing part of her profile and her arm. A light, emanating on her left side, illuminates a shoulder, part of her back and her buttocks, casting the rest of her body in subdued shadow. There is a marked sincerity to the composition that suggests that the model revealed her innermost qualities.