Important Notice

Souza???s nude women are one of the predominant themes appearing in his work throughout his career. According to him, he was obsessed by the naked female form from a young age, when he spied on his mother bathing: ???I used to watch her bath herself through a hole I had bored in the door. I was afraid if she thrust something in, I might get a bleeding eye-ball. I drew her on the walls and prudes thought I was rude.??? (F N Souza, Words & ... Souza???s nude women are one of the predominant themes appearing in his work throughout his career. According to him, he was obsessed by the naked female form from a young age, when he spied on his mother bathing: ???I used to watch her bath herself through a hole I had bored in the door. I was afraid if she thrust something in, I might get a bleeding eye-ball. I drew her on the walls and prudes thought I was rude.??? (F N Souza, Words & Lines, London: Villiers, p. 25) Souza???s nudes are unashamed of their nakedness, comfortable with their natural state, often looking straight at the viewer or locked in a libidinous embrace.

Deliberately confrontational, the nude female form as seen by Souza contrasts with the suit-and-tie wearing male figure that is found in many of his works. Softer and gentler than other representations in Souza???s art, nude women often reference ancient Indian art forms such as Khajuraho statuary. Often placed in iconic stances, they are a means by which Souza was able to expose something that society generally considered seedy and taboo.

Read More
Artist Profile
Other works of this artist in: this auction  |  entire site