Nude

Terauchi studied under Takeji Fujishima at Tokyo School of Fine Arts and did many figure paintings excelling in draftsmanship. Nude women became his main motif from around 1934 when he set up a studio in Urawa and he is reputed as “the nude artist Terauchi.” His contribution to the development of art in Saitama and rearing the younger generation was significant.

“As Utrillo had a lifelong attachment for the walls in Paris, as long as I live, I will be strongly attached to nude Japanese women.” Having said so, Terauchi devoted himself to working in the studio and painted nudes in a variety of poses. This painting captures a momentary look shown as the model sitting sideways turns her head. While showing the nude woman’s back shining in the light in subtle tones of color, the painting is persistently warm and carefree. Terauchi was fascinated by the sober coloring Corot employed and the austere and massive figures Derain portrayed. While absorbing such expressions, he pursued beautifully tanned nudes with superb draftsmanship. Aiming at “something natural but profound,” he perfected an expression of his own possessing a subdued sheen.