Jugendstil (Art Nouveau) Wood Block Print: David At The Decisive Moment

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I realize this is not a nude but still it is a beautiful late 19th century-early 20th century figurative composition and the depiction of the subject matter is something I have seldom seen. The auction listing simply describes it as "Jugendstil Bilderrahmen mit Holzschnitt Jüngling" but to my eye it is a depiction of Biblical David standing at that monumental moment of decision, patiently waiting for the opportune moment to strike. Most depictions of David (good versus evil) show a triumphant youth standing over the severed head of Goliath but here we have a lone youth, vulnerable, yet powerful in that contemplative moment of decision. The composition is full of movement yet the central figure is calm, cool, and collected in his self-assurance of his coming victory.

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