Isabella

Isabella, 1977 oil pastel by R.C. Gorman, presents a reclining figure in simplified, sculptural form, rendered with the artist’s characteristic sensitivity to the human body in repose. The woman’s pose is contemplative, her form reduced to essential curves and contours, allowing the viewer’s eye to travel across the gentle topography of her body. Gorman employs warm skin tones against subtle blue and red accents, creating a harmonious palette that feels intimate and gallery-quality. The minimal white background anchors the figure without distraction, emphasizing the pastel’s luminosity and the figure’s graceful stillness. This early work captures Isabella in a moment of private reflection, celebrating both her form and Gorman’s remarkable ability to convey emotion through simplified gesture. A perfect acquisition for collectors of figurative pastels, early Gorman works, and gallery-quality studies of the human figure.