Reclining nude

As early as 1932-33, Grosz left Germany with his family and emigrated to the USA.  There he quite quickly became popular as an artist. He obtained US citizenship in 1938 and the painter would not return to Berlin until 1959, where he died shortly afterwards.
 In contrast to his Berlin period, he started making less expressive work with more cheerful themes: the war clouds slowly dissipated and gave way to a more optimistic worldview. 
Grosz made several nude studies, mostly of his wife Eva Peter. Sometimes an ode to feminine beauty, they are brimming with zest for life and an optimistic outlook on life. Sometimes (as is the case here) they have a distinctly sensual and ertotic character. Yet Grosz still seems to refer to the decadent life of ‘roaring twenties’ Berlin, the work is all about lust, carnality and sensuality (note also the chocolates and the whisky bottle). Probably made in Grosz studio in Cape Cod, this work is dated (19)50.

Signed and dated below right below "Grosz '50"
For this work a confirmation by Mr Ralph Jentsch, Berlin, from 23rd April 2024 is available. Teh work will be adopted into the catalogue raisonné of paper works that is currently under preparation.

Gouache and Indian ink on paper, 40 x 50 cm (15 ³/₄ x 19 ³/₄ inches)