Nude Girl

Afflicted with tuberculosis in 1904 at the age of 17, Nakamura Tsune (1887–1924) joined the Hakubakai (White Horse Society) in 1906, following which he studied Rembrandt, Renoir and Cézanne, and pursued his own unique style while battling his illness. The model for this painting was Soma Toshiko, eldest daughter of the founders of the Nakamura-ya bakery in Shinjuku, Soma Aizo and Kokko. Nakamura, who had been living at the atelier behind Nakamura-ya since late 1911, used Toshiko as his model frequently from around 1913, when she was a student at Joshi Seigakuin school for girls. The influence of Renoir can be seen in the depiction of Toshiko’s young, healthy body, but her expression, with lips closed and intelligent gaze directed at the artist, and the vibrant red color of her cheeks are characteristic of Nakamura’s own style.