Unknown 19th Century Italian School - Male Nude Reclining

I must say I have wondered somewhat far afield in the forest of collecting over the last several years. My greatest love will always be the 19th century academic nude. I admit I am thoroughly tired of US and Ancient Greek gold coins, Navajo sterling coin necklaces, and World War 2 Sterling Pilots wings. So recently I found a beautiful 19th century male nude from Italy that I simply could not resist so I bought it..

DEDE ERI SUPRIA (Born 1956) 1976 Selbstportrait Halb - Akt

I was fishing around on eBay Germany today when I chanced upon a modern work by an Indonesian Painter named DEDE ERI SUPRIA (1956- ) which the German description described the painting as a 1976 Selbstportrait Halb-Akt  (Half nude self-portrait). I know this is outside the purview of my blog but every so often you run across an artistic talent that just grabs you and the composition says "look at me" and that little right brain voice says ..."how beautiful."  I love the composition and I thought I would share this work with you.

It ain’t what it used to be folk’s.....

Well, I think European sellers of Academic nudes have wised up and have jacked up their prices accordingly. Affordable once bargain prices for 19th Century Academic nude works have become laughably expensive.....and in the words of a Mississippi Antiques dealer I once encountered commenting on the prices of his competitor’s works for sale .... “He certainly loves his antiques.”  Meaning: “That jackass is in love with his antiques and should be buried with them.”  Rest assured I shall remain alert to bargains when they appear....... in the meantime folks..... it’s slim pickings out there now but I am empowered with magical powers, able to leap tall buildings in a single bound, faster than a speeding bullet...... no wait.... that’s someone else........... any-who... stay tuned.