The pregnant nude in contemporary Art

Jonathan Yeo's recent photo-realistic painting of a heavily pregnant Sienna Miller has attracted much media comment as much for the subject matter as her obvious celebrity. With a few notable exceptions the representation of the pregnant nude in Art is still relatively uncommon. Personally, I think this a great shame but I have been lucky enough to produce one work so far which celebrates this special life moment.

"La Serenissima"

chalk pastel

10.5 x 7.5 in. / 27 x 19 cm.

I had the great good fortune to draw my model Kate, with whom I have worked on a number of my sculptures, when she too was pregnant. And from these drawings I developed this pastel painting. The arch format, the treatment of shimmering light and the dark interior owed much, at the time, to a visit I had made to Venice. So I imagined Kate sheltering from the hot summer sun, seated by an open window in her palazzo in Venice, overlooking the Lagoon. In celebration of that transient but joyful state, I gave the painting the title of "La Serenissima", which means the most serene and is the name by which the City of Venice is known. Just seemed appropriate.

A pregnant torso will also feature as the third sculpture of four in a series carved in stone I am working on. Each season of the year in my Quattro Stagioni (Four Seasons) series is represented by a female torso morphing into a plant form. In the case of the now finished Primavera (Spring) the figure is morphing into a Snowdrop. Este (Summer) which I am currently working on takes the form of a reclining torso morphing into  an Arum Lily and Autumno will be a pregnant torso as ripening fruit. 

"Primavera" - Spring is in the air

The first of this series of four sculptures, each representing a season of the year as a female torso morphing into a plant form, is also now available for 2009 in more affordable stone-composite as well as a limited edition bronze.

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Spring or "Primavera" is represented by a slim female torso emerging like a snowdrop from the depths of winter. The petals around her head open to reveal her face mask slowly taking form as do the protective arms around her upper torso.

The original for this sculpture was carved in dark grey Kilkenny Limestone from which the limited edition of only 6 bronzes was cast. This new version is cast solid in Jesmonite composite mixed with a blend of stone aggregates to give the look and feel of polished, buff-coloured limestone. Because all the work is done by myself in the studio I am able to ensure that the accuracy and finish of each cast is true to the carved stone original.

The contrast of textures, very much a signature aspect of my work, accentuates the sensuality of the smooth forms which are dramatised by the light.

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The sculpture, which stands 73 cm. tall, is available direct from my studio as one of a limited edition of 100, mounted on a round base of Jesmonite with a dark grey granite finish.

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The Prezzo restaurant chain has now installed one of this edition of Primavera, which they comissioned last year for one of their newest outlets in Camberley, Surrey.

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Both images © Gordon Aitcheson 2009