In classical mythology a nimbus is a shining cloud sometimes surrounding a deity when on earth. Gottlieb named this painting of one of his former models Toni, to describe the personality she presented for this painting. Her strength of character is apparent as an aura that overshadows the invitation of her open robe and instead represents her as a woman of decisive action and will. Gottlieb’s talent for expressing the personality of his subjects is particularly evident in this painting where we are drawn to her face to see the woman instead of her body.
