The artwork makes use of many diagonal lines which likewise convey the movement of the figures. The diagonal lines give the impression that the forms in the painting are descending from the stair rather than being stationary. Furthermore, the colors used in the artwork have less value which may be manifested in the dark colors used. Likewise, the colors used were not strongly contrasted with each other, but the lines used had provided the contrast in the artwork. The artwork is asymmetrically balanced, that is, the two sides are not identical but are arranged in a way as to manifest a form of balance.
The mechanized figures in the artwork are typical of a Cubist painting, but the artwork’s portrayal of movement excludes it from Cubism. The artwork was later thought to be inspired by Futurists wherein the subjects are shown to be with velocity. Moreover, the artwork could have been inspired from time-lapse photography (Philadelphia Museum of Art, n.d.).
The artist, known to be challenging what makes an object an art, could have been challenging the art community to take courageous steps towards the disclosure of the art or beauty that may be found in objects that may be found commonly such as the body. In my personal opinion, the artwork is interesting since it had been released in an era where most people desire censorship. The artwork is also effective since it had opened the doors for modernists whose interpretation of what constitutes art may vary from what was considered in the 20th century.
References
Marcel Duchamp. (n.d.). Retrieved February 12, 2016, from http://www.theartstory.org/artist-duchamp-marcel.htm
Philadelphia Museum of Art. (n.d.). Collections Object: Nude Descending a Staircase (No. 2). Retrieved February 12, 2016, from http://www.philamuseum.org/collections/permanent/51449.html
