Arne Durban was born in Kristiania (now Oslo), Norway and studied furniture design at the Norwegian School of Crafts and Design from 1928-1933. The artist later studied sculpture at the Norwegian Academy of Fine Arts from 1933-1936 where he further refined his sculptural practice. The artist was a prominent art critic and writer, publishing many artist biographies on Norwegian artists.
“Standing Nude” is an excellent example of the balanced and fluid figural work the artist is best known for. Standing in a classic contraposto position, the woman has been rendered in a naturalized form, reminiscent of classical Greek sculptures. The soft curve of the body is enhanced with this positioning and further complemented by the delicate arrangement of her arms, gracefully resting on her chest and instilling the work with a demure elegance.
