At the beginning of the twentieth century, Amedeo Modigliani was the leading sculptor and painter in Paris. His importance lies mainly in the development of a very singular style. He steered a course of his own and remained independent from the reigning artistic movements. In 1917, Modigliani started painting the series of female nudes to which this Seated Nude belongs. His nudes were wholly unlike the academic nudes of the time. Here, the woman is shown sitting in an unidentifiable space. Because there is no context, this naked woman cannot be interpreted as a literary, mythological or allegorical subject. The sparing use of colour is very typical. Modigliani has pared down the colour palette to an unusual apricot flesh tint that stands out against areas of reddish brown and blue. The stylised play of simple lines lends the female figure a sophisticated grace and elegance. In his concept of the nude, Modigliani combines one of the most traditional subjects in the fine arts with a markedly modern view that has done away with all forms of prudery. This painting represents the ideal female body, pure and simple.