Reclining Woman (circa 1945) is a compelling exploration of form, color, and abstraction, reflecting the artist’s deep engagement with the human figure and its relationship to the surrounding environment. This painting, created during the mid-1940s, is indicative of Wilcox’s ability to fuse elements of surrealism with a personal, introspective approach to subject matter, resulting in a work that is both visually arresting and rich in symbolic meaning. At the center of the composition is the figure of a reclining woman, rendered in a series of fluid, almost ethereal lines. The figure appears to be both part of the landscape and distinct from it, with her form outlined in dark, undulating contours that suggest both the boundaries of the body and the contours of the land. The woman’s body is elongated and simplified, her features abstracted to the point where she becomes a symbol of femininity and repose rather than a specific individual. The background of the painting is a vibrant landscape, bursting with color and texture. What is particularly striking about Reclining Woman is the interplay between the figure and the background. The woman’s body seems to both emerge from and dissolve into the landscape, creating a sense of unity between the human form and the natural world. This fusion of figure and ground is enhanced by the horizontal lines that run across the woman’s body, which echo the layers of the landscape behind her and create a visual rhythm that ties the composition together. The figure of the reclining woman has long been a subject in art, often symbolizing rest, contemplation, and the beauty of the human form. In Wilcox’s interpretation, however, the figure takes on a more complex and abstract quality. The woman is not just a passive subject but an active element within the composition, her form integral to the landscape that surrounds her.. Wilcox’s style in Reclining Woman is a blend of abstraction and surrealism, with a focus on the fluidity of form and the emotional resonance of color. Her brushwork is both precise and expressive, with the lines that define the woman’s body creating a sense of structure while also allowing for ambiguity and fluidity. The landscape is rendered with a similar balance of control and spontaneity, with the textured brushstrokes creating a rich, tactile surface that invites the viewer to explore the depths of the scene. The use of color is particularly effective in creating a mood that is both vibrant and contemplative, with the contrasting tones of the sky and the land adding to the overall sense of balance and harmony in the composition.