Fall Etude

Fall Etude (2002) is a refined portrait study by R.C. Gorman, rendered in soft tan and cream tones with selective ochre and charcoal accents. The woman’s face is depicted in profile with eyes closed in a meditative expression, her dark hair pulled back, adorned with turquoise drop earrings that hint at Navajo cultural identity. Her pale shoulders and neck are rendered with delicate shading, emerging from an implied pale robe or blanket. The composition conveys introspection and quiet beauty, with minimal context allowing the viewer to focus entirely on the subtle modeling of her features and the artist’s nuanced handling of light and shadow. A poetic late-career work ideal for collectors seeking Gorman’s intimate figurative studies.