Miçao Kôno (1876–1954) - "reclining Female Nude"

Oil on canvas
Signed “Miçao Kôno” in the lower left corner, with her monogram
Dated “XXXVII” (1937)
Antique frame

Dimensions: 46 x 61 cm

In this horizontal composition, Miçao Kono depicts a young nude woman reclining on a bed of fabrics and cushions. With her head resting on her hands, the model gazes at the viewer with an expression that is both dreamy and self-assured. Her skillfully waved red hair, bold makeup, and vermilion nails lend the figure an almost theatrical presence.
The artist contrasts the luminous softness of the body—rendered in a palette of pearly whites, pinks, and ivory tones—with the darker, hazy hues of the background. In the background, cushions in shades of turquoise, green, and coral introduce colorful accents that structure the space without disrupting the overall harmony. The delicate rendering of the skin, the stylization of the features, and the fluidity of the contours all contribute to the decorative elegance of the composition.

A work representative of the charming painting style of the interwar period, where the subject’s sensuality is combined with a pursuit of chromatic refinement and decorative grace.

Galerie Paris-Manaus