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Figure Studies

A work made of black marker on tracing paper.

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  • A work made of black marker on tracing paper.

Date:

1999

Artist:

Oscar Niemeyer
Brazilian, 1907-2012

About this artwork

Drawing was a love of Niemeyer from earlier on; as a child he would draw in the air with his finger. It was his love of drawing that led him to architecture and reinforces his belief, as written on this sketch, ”without drawing architecture does not exist,” that further emphasizes how integral drawing was to the development of his architecture. Niemeyer drew formal inspiration from organic forms in nature, but perhaps most prominent to his inspiration was his love of the female form. It is within the sinuous lines he drew in these figure studies that the formal relationship of the figure to organic shapes of Niemeyer’s buildings are prominent.

Status

Currently Off View

Department

Architecture and Design

Artist

Oscar Niemeyer (Architect)

Title

Figure Studies

Place

Brazil (Artist's nationality:)

Date  Dates are not always precisely known, but the Art Institute strives to present this information as consistently and legibly as possible. Dates may be represented as a range that spans decades, centuries, dynasties, or periods and may include qualifiers such as c. (circa) or BCE.

1999

Medium

Black marker on tracing paper

Dimensions

50 × 70 cm (19 11/16 × 27 9/16 in.)

Credit Line

Gift of Oscar Niemeyer, Fundaçao Oscar Niemeyer

Reference Number

1999.302.2

Extended information about this artwork

Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email . Information about image downloads and licensing is available here.

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