Marcel Duchamp's relationship with Maria Martins influenced his late work

Scholar Francis M. Naumann published a book titled Impossible, which explores the romantic and artistic connection between the French-American artist Marcel Duchamp and the Brazilian sculptor Maria Martins.

The book argues that their profound emotional bond, which began in 1943, reanimated Duchamp's interest in creating art during his later years. Naumann suggests that Martins served as a collaborator rather than just a muse. The author describes how the two artists exchanged sculptures and influenced each other's styles.

For example, Duchamp gave Martins a piece made with his own seminal fluid in 1946, while Martins created a bronze sculpture that Naumann claims refers to the impossibility of her relationship with Duchamp. The book also interprets Duchamp's final work, Étant donnés, as an act of devotion to Martins. Although Duchamp had previously moved away from traditional imagery, he spent 20 years on this installation which features a nude woman in a landscape.

Naumann says Martins helped choreograph the pose and advised on the technique. Because Martins's personal letters are not public, the book acknowledges that her specific feelings about the relationship remain unknown.