Figures depicted artfully cavorting in the dunes? (5)
I believe the answer is:
nudes
'figures' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both man-made objects as well as being plural nouns.
Maybe there's a link between them I don't understand?
'depicted artfully cavorting in the dunes?' is the wordplay.
'dunes' anagrams to 'NUDES'.
Though, I am not sure how this is indicated.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for nudes that I've seen before include "Unclothed people" , "They wear nothing" , "Dunes (anag.)" , "Revealing paintings?" , "Naturists" .)