#large bathers

“Painting from nature is not copying the object; it is realizing one’s sensations.” Born on this day in 1839, Paul Cézanne interpreted our world through radical use of colors, brushstrokes, and composition. His paintings took Impressionism into new territory, introducing ideas that contributed to the development of Modern art. Visit this painting and more by Cézanne in our New European Galleries. 

22-03-2021

‘The Large Bathers’ by Paul Cézanne (1898)

Location: Philadelphia museum of art

Period: Post impressionism

Worth: $110,000/- in 1937

“Cézanne is the father of us all” ~Pablo Picasso

This is one of the most important paintings from post-Impressionism period which triggered the subsequent art movements like Cubism and Modern art. See detailed art analysis here.

Looking for ways to avoid the July heat? Take a cue from these bathers.

More Art Monday is brought to you by ART 24/7.

"The Large Bathers," 1900–6, by Paul Cézanne

"Swimming Pool," date unknown, by Ellis Ruley 

"Mermaid in a Pool with Goldfish," 1904, by Franz Hein

"The Bather," 1915, by Alexander Archipenko © Estate of Alexander Archipenko / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York

"The Bathing Place," 1889, by Léon-Augustin Lhermitte

"Nymphs Bathing," late 19th Century, by Adolphe-Joseph-Thomas Monticelli

Get the scoop on Cézanne’s largest and final work during this week's Spotlight Gallery Conversations, tomorrow, Friday, and Saturday at 11:00 a.m.

Today we wish a happy 178th birthday to Paul Cézanne. This French post-Impressionist painter is said to have bridged the gap between Impressionism and Cubism.

LARGE BATHERS (1889) by PAUL CÉZANNE

CÉZANNE’S inspiration for LARGE BATHERS was based on historical art trends and his own ideas, rather than relying on natural observation.

He had a book called 'LE NU AU LOUVRE' which had all sorts of photos of nudes from ancient GREECE to MODERN TIMES. It was a great source for him, especially since he was particularly interested in photos of sculptures.

Another common feature of CÉZANNE’S paintings of women bathers are their triangular shapes. For example, in her LARGE BATHERS series, the bathers are divided into two triangular groups. Surrounded by trees and leaves, these groups form pyramids.

LARGE BATHERS is also different from the usual depictions of nudes in landscape, as CÉZANNE’S depictions of nudes lack the eroticism and sensuality associated with the theme.

This painting illustrates CÉZANNE’S contemporary interpretation of a classic motif, particularly his depiction of the human form: CÉZANNE paints the nude female figures in the same manner as he does landscapes.

CÉZANNE’S depictions of bathers are characterized by their coarse and inelegant appearance, with their limbs entwined together in a peculiar manner.

“Ve kadınlar, bizim kadınlarımız: korkunç ve mübarek elleri, ince, küçük çeneleri, kocaman gözleriyle anamız, avradımız, yarimiz ve sanki hiç yaşamamış gibi ölen ve soframızdaki yeri öküzümüzden sonra gelen ve dağlara kaçırıp uğrunda hapis yattığımız ve ekinde, tütünde, odunda ve pazardaki ve karasabana koşulan ve ağıllarda ışıltısında yere saplı bıçakların oynak, ağır kalçaları ve zilleriyle bizim olan kadınlar, bizim kadınlarımız”

-Nazım Hikmet