Description Nude Descending a Staircase, No. 2

Étienne-jules marey: man walking, 1890-91

the work, oil painting on canvas dimensions of 147 cm × 89.2 cm (57.9 in × 35.1 in) in portrait, seemingly depicts figure demonstrating abstract movement in ochres , browns. discernible body parts of figure composed of nested, conical , cylindrical abstract elements, assembled in such way suggest rhythm , convey movement of figure merging itself. dark outlines limit contours of body while serving motion lines emphasize dynamics of moving figure, while accented arcs of dotted lines seem suggest thrusting pelvic motion. movement seems rotated counterclockwise upper left lower right corner, gradient of apparently frozen sequence corresponding bottom right top left dark, respectively, becomes more transparent, fading of apparently intended simulate older section. @ edges of picture, steps indicated in darker colors. center of image amalgam of light , dark, becomes more piqued approaching edges. overall warm, monochrome bright palette ranges yellow ochre dark, black tones. colors translucent. @ bottom left duchamp placed title nu descendant un escalier in block letters, may or may not related work. question of whether figure represents human body remains unanswered; figure provides no clues age, individuality, or character, while gender of nu male.