From Life Class, 1968

This edition is part of Allen Jones' Life Class, a portfolio of seven works in which he explores the fragmentation of the female figure through the juxtaposition of abstraction and photorealism. The upper section presents a partially abstracted woman in bold lines and vivid colours, while the lower section focuses on her legs in a more detailed, realistic manner, clad in striking blue stockings against a vibrant orange ground. Originally issued as separate upper and lower sheets in transparent sleeves, the figures could be combined in different configurations, introducing an element of play and variation into the composition. The work reflects Jones’ fascination with the female body, fashion and the visual language of popular culture, while the contrast between the two sections creates a tension between the graphic and the photographic.