The statue of Nude Descending a Staircase is regarded as one of the noble yet classic status of the Philadelphia Museum of art. The painting was made in 1912 by one of the renowned painter Marcel Duchamp. His sculpture portrays a discernable body part of a figure in the form of nested, conical and cylindrical elements assembled together in a moving figure. The authenticity of the Nude Dancing in a Staircase statue is complicated as it reveals socio-economic or political aspects thus provide a combination of anomalous features (Pells 6). As documented by the literary reviews, the nude Descending statue is a looming predecessor to represent the human body in a unique way. Duchamp combined both cubist and futurist movements thus leaving many scholars in dilemma (Blake 1).
A historical account of the Nude Descending a Staircase statue that configured the face of American art was presented on Feb 17, 1913. During this time, over 4,000 American citizens swarmed the 69th Regiment Armory in New York City in order to view more than 1,000 works of art. The Association of American Painters and Sculptures organized the event in an effort to inspire new kinds of art. As observed, Americans presented almost two-thirds of the works. However, among nationals was this French artist Marcel Duchamp, who presented an anomalous painting nude Descending a Staircase portraying both futurist and cubist movements (The Art show that Rocked America 4). Nude Descending a Staircase was considered by majority of the observers as the most scandalous work of all. Through his artistic skills, Duchamp managed to portray his subject in a moving motion. The controversial piece of art attracted more tourist artists within America and the entire world. In brief, the Duchamp`s piece of art marked a new revolution in American modern art (The Art show that Rocked America 5).
In this portage, Duchamp manages to develop complex anatomical and geometrical elements in motion that dominates most parts of the figure. The abstract movement is presented in ochers and browns. In terms of style, the Nude Descending a Staircase element appears unusually slender at the waist. The motion portrays the figure as a masterpiece struggling to deliver 3D Figure presentation. As a result of the blurred picture, the female nude portage fails to deliver the exact figure of a female with anatomical features throughout the entire body. As presented in the figure, the frontal, torso, and back sections of the nude picture are relatively schematic and flat. The overall color of the Nude Descending a Staircase is oddly dull and floury. This form of coloration limits the translucency that is expected in most pieces of artworks especially the Philadelphia art collections (The Art show that Rocked America 5).
In order to reveal the iconography of the Nude Descending a Staircase, Duchamp in his defense on his masterpiece denotes that the portage was mainly done to reveal the message of “replete” to the world. A replete is aristocratic ideal meaning of both moral and physical beauty (The Art show that Rocked America 5). The continuous motion of girlish elements represents beauty. Just like any other form of Kouroi arts, the Nude Descending a Staircase was meant to represent affluent women accepting the work of ancient art but in a modern manner. A deep focus on the description of the main Philadelphia pieces of art at that time, it is true that the portage has managed to resemble the archaic period. Scholars further reveal that the piece of art represents a brave artist who broke the rules and regulations that tied up the ancient American sculpture to expand them towards freedom and democracy (Wesley 1).
Duchamp argues that Irony was one of his major themes in his piece of work. He expands that his painting was not only to represent the vision of beauty and elegance but also to glamorize the various economic, political and social ills that embedded America and other nations. Through his technique of delivering a motion picture, Duchamp projects the women struggle to achieve freedom in all the designated sectors of human living (Blake 1). The traditional figurative painting addresses the struggle of women for equal treatment. Duchamp broke the figure apart to represent the various centuries women have undergone to achieve their desire of equality. He manages to educate both the traditional and the modern world on the essence of gender equality. This approach makes much of his collection to mark some of the fundamental themes of the current time. Today, almost all states are achieving Duchamp desire on the collection (Blake 1)
In conclusion, it obviously clear that Duchamp painting on Nude Descending a Staircase has managed to address its themes to the retinal. The portage has addressed both the cubist and futurist movements that are vital in any piece of artwork. However, the revelations of the various themes depicted on the art still exist in the mind of the observer.
Blake Gopnik - Washington Post,Staff Writer. "Face Value; at Portrait Gallery, Duchamp's Teasing Puzzles of Identity." The Washington Post Apr 07 2009: C1 ProQuest. 16 Oct. 2014.
Pells, Richard. "History Descending a Staircase: American Historians and American Culture." The Chronicle of Higher Education 53.48 (2007): B6-7. ProQuest. 16 Oct. 2014
"The Art show that Rocked America." Scholastic Art 11 2013: 4-5. ProQuest. 16 Oct. 2014.
Wesley Pulkka For, The J. "Painted Photographs make Philosophical Statement." Albuquerque Journal Feb 21 1999: 0. ProQuest. 16 Oct. 2014.