Artwork
В бане. Эскиз
В бане. Эскиз is an oil painting by Alexey Venetsianov. It dates from 1823 and is held in the collection of the Tretyakov Gallery. Created circa 1823 by Alexey Gavrilovich Venetsianov, this oil sketch portrays a modest interior scene of three women in a rustic bathhouse.
About this work
Overview
Created circa 1823 by Alexey Gavrilovich Venetsianov, this oil sketch portrays a modest interior scene of three women in a rustic bathhouse. The composition centers on a nude figure illuminated by a gentle light, while the two clothed women sit nearby, each wrapped in colorful headscarves. The work exemplifies Venetsianov’s sustained interest in the quotidian lives of Russian peasants.
Subject & Meaning
The sketch captures a moment of private routine: a communal bathing space where the figures appear absorbed in personal contemplation. The contrast between the exposed central figure and the modestly dressed companions suggests a nuanced observation of vulnerability and intimacy within everyday labor.
Technique & Style
Venetsianov employs a restrained palette and pronounced chiaroscuro, allowing the warm glow to model the nude’s form against the cool stone walls. The brushwork remains loose, characteristic of a sketch, yet the handling of light conveys a palpable sense of volume and spatial depth.
History & Provenance
After its execution, the piece entered the collection of Moscow’s Tretyakov Gallery, where it remains on display. Its inclusion reflects the museum’s commitment to preserving works that document 19th‑century Russian rural life and the artist’s contribution to that narrative.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Alexey Gavrilovich Venetsianov (Russian: Алексей Гаврилович Венецианов; 18 February 1780 – 16 December 1847) was a Russian painter, renowned for his paintings devoted to peasant life and ordinary people.
The Surprised Lovers
After Bathing
American Beauties
Peasant Dwelling-Place
William Rush Carving His Allegorical Figure of the Schuylkill River
The Laundress (La Blanchisseuse)
In Rome
El despertar de la criada
Woman at the Bath with a Hat beside Her
Le lever de la mariée russe (Custom of the Russians after the Marriage Ceremony and before the Wedding Feast)
După baie