saville1

I first discovered Jenny Savilles work when I was researching nudes in art
for my 'A' level art project titled 'The course of the nude from neo classical perfection to post modern fragmentation'. I concentrated on her painting 'Branded' when I studied the artist.
She has fast become my favourite artist and enjoy the shock when I first see her work and the way in which she makes the viewer confront the naked body.

In the same way as Bertolt Brecht, information on Saville was limited I decided to copy the section on Saville from my project on to this website. I haven't got any pictures of her work on the site but will give links to other web pages when Ive compiled it.
Even though this originally part of a essay I have cut it down into headings so you can pick out relevant information to you.

          'The modernist and post modernist artists working in the avant-garde have taken it upon themselves to complexify the notions of beauty'. I think this statement is particulary true for Jenny Saville and her painting 'Branded'.
          'Branded' completed in 1992 measures at an imposing 213.4 x 182.9cm. I saw the painting at The National Gallery in an exhibition celebrating portraits. As this was only a temporary exhibiton the picture was shown in a small white room, with other portrait paintings from the 21st century. When i first set eyes on the painting I was in awe of the size of the subject. I was overwhelmed by the details of every fold and imperfection, I even had to step away from it as it was so overpowering.
     The Pictures subject:
           Saville has painted a very obese nude woman. The Subject seems to over fill the picture, this effect is achieved by the head of the subject being cut off at the top and the woman leaning back as if to keep her face in the picture. The subject is also cropped at the hips. This framing focuses the viewers attention on the subjects breasts and stomach. I think Saville intentionally did that to create a bigger impact by making her torso the main feature. The subject grabs the flesh of her stomach, which suggests she is excentuating her weight.
    The technique:
           The material used is oil paint and the technique used made it seem light, lose and showed melodramatic brushwork. This technique is used throughout the painting. There is a noticeable texture in the way in which the paint seems pungent, giving every bruise, pucker and shadow a physical presence. Even though some viewers may see similarities with Lucian Freuds work, Saville is seen as an artist entirely in keeping with her times. One important factor in the style of the painting is Saville works from images rather then models, which adds a hint of the photographic.
       The viewer:
             As an observer you have a definite role in the picture, this is because you soon realise the womans eyes are focused on you. From the woman's unlit and almost obscure features I got the sense I was being challenged. She does not tilt her to look at the viewer but gazes over her nose, this could suggest that she is not going to be ashamed of her body but I should be ashamed of my shock at an nude obses woman. The clutching of her flesh seems to emphasise her size and reinforces this statement.
        The composition:
            The composition of 'branded' is important, as Saville slants the perspective of the painting and adopts a low close up viewpoint. This makes the body seem to be rising above the eye lilke an unstable moutian. The background is minimalist with only a black line runnnig through it to break it up and stop the viewer thinking its a backdrop. The background is not recognisable this is because Saville wants the viewer to concentrate on the foreground.