Twentieth-Century Nudes from Tate

November 23, 2024–March 9, 2025

Gallery 223

Lucian Freud, 'Standing by the Rags,' 1988–89, oil paint on canvas

Twentieth-Century Nudes from Tate explores how the nude—a central subject in Western art since the Renaissance—was used by artists in the 20th century to explore formal concepts as well as challenge viewers’ preconceptions about age, race, gender, and sexuality. Included will be major works by some of the most recognized artists of the 20th century, such as Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Vanessa Bell, Francis Bacon, Lucian Freud, Alice Neel, Barkley L. Hendricks, and many more. Nudes will provide visitors with an opportunity to view a remarkable array of paintings from Tate, one of England’s foremost art museums, including works by a number of artists not represented in the Worcester Art Museum’s collection. This exhibition is curated by Emma Chambers, Curator of Modern British Art at Tate, and for its Worcester presentation by Claire Whitner, Director of Curatorial Affairs and the James A. Welu Curator of European Art.


Organized in collaboration with Tate. This exhibition is generously supported by the Fletcher Foundation. It is also funded in part by the Ruth and John Adam, Jr. Exhibition Fund, Richard A. Heald Curatorial Fund, the Christian A. Johnson Exhibition Fund, Michie Family Curatorial Fund, and WAM Exhibition Fund. Related exhibition programming is supported by the Schwartz Charitable Foundation, Bernard G. and Louise B. Palitz Fund, and Spear Fund for Public Programs. Media partner: WBUR.

Tate logo
WBUR logo

Stay connected! Sign up for the Worcester Art Museum’s email newsletter.

Selected images