Figures depicted artfully cavorting in the dunes? (5)
I believe the answer is:
nudes
'figures' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both man-made objects as well as being plural nouns.
Perhaps you can see an association between them that I don't see?
'depicted artfully cavorting in the dunes?' is the wordplay.
'dunes' anagrams to 'NUDES'.
Though, I'm unsure 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" .)