MICHAEL NARANJO (1944-), TEWA, PUEBLO, SANTA CLARA, USA
Reclining Nude Woman, 1970s
cast and patinated bronze, 11.5 x 20 x 6 in (29.2 x 50.8 x 15.2 cm)
signed, numbered, and inscribed, "NARANJO 4/10 / Santa Fe / Bronze".

Provenance
Important Private Collection, Pittsburgh, PA.

Despite losing his sight during the Vietnam War, Naranjo’s tactile relationship with his materials has led to a distinctive body of work that explores themes of fluidity, motion, and the human form.

The present work of a Reclining Nude Woman, embodies a remarkable sense of movement and fluidity, a testament to the sculptor's mastery over the medium. Each curve and contour flows seamlessly into the next, creating an illusion of softness despite the hardness of the bronze. The figure itself is poised in a natural, relaxed state, yet there is an inherent dynamism, as if the subject could breathe and shift at any moment. The smooth finish of the bronze enhances the tactile quality of the sculpture, inviting touch and further exploration of its form.

This work stands not only as a celebration of the human figure, capturing both the grace and the strength that are central to our understanding of physical beauty but also to the skill of the artist. Naranjo's ability to convey such delicate subtleties of motion without the use of sight is a remarkable feat, showcasing an extraordinary sensory perception and an intimate, hands-on approach to his material, which defies the expectations of the visual arts. His work is a poignant reminder of the vast capabilities and adaptability of the human spirit.