Retenue - UNIQUE 1/1 - XL Original mixed media artwork on premium artist-grade canvas, unique edition 1/1. The work presents a solitary female figure seen predominantly from behind, with the torso subtly turned and the head lowered away from the viewer. The closed posture, exposed back and restrained movement create a sense of intimacy, withdrawal and quiet psychological tension. The composition was originally drawn and developed digitally by MATTO as part of the preparatory process, then printed on premium artist-grade canvas and extensively transformed through direct physical intervention using acrylic paint, felt-tip paint markers and pastel. These manual interventions create surface texture, variation and individual marks that make the finished physical work unique. Deep blue and dark brown lines establish the structure of the back, shoulders and figure, while rust, pale pink, muted red, ochre and soft blue accents introduce warmth and rhythm. The overlapping linework follows the anatomy while allowing areas of the body to remain fragmented and partially unresolved. Artwork size: 60 × 80 cm Total canvas size: 70 × 90 cm, including 5 cm white stretching margins on all sides Technique: Mixed media on premium artist-grade canvas Edition: Unique artwork, 1/1 Year: 2026 Signature: Hand-signed “MATTO” on the lower left of the artwork Certificate of Authenticity: Included Presentation: Sold unframed and shipped rolled in a rigid protective tube The detail photographs show the physical texture of the canvas and the individual hand-applied interventions. The interior mock-up images are visualisations created solely to show the artwork in different environments and framing options. The artwork itself is sold unframed. MATTO is one of two artistic identities developed by the same Portuguese artist, alongside BESSA. The artist’s practice began in the early 2000s, with participation in collective exhibitions in Portugal and works acquired by private collectors. After a long period professionally connected to visual communication, the artist returned to a more active studio practice in 2026, developing new physical works under the identities BESSA and MATTO. MATTO explores a freer contemporary figurative language centred on the human body, gesture, tension and emotional presence through dense accumulations of line and colour. Selected works, biographical information and current studio practice can be viewed at: bessamatto.art