Francis Picabia (1879-1953) famously declared that he wanted to change his ideas “as often as one would change one’s shirt”, and he embraced many different artistic styles throughout his life.
Despite an enduring interest in abstraction, he also showed keen interest in figurative art, inspired by Spanish and Renaissance works and even nudes found in glamour magazines.
This ink and graphite sketch of a female figure reflects his interest in the gentle curves and sensuality of the feminine form, which later translated into more commercial and kitsch works.