Artwork
Two Bathers under a Tree at the Water's Edge
Two Bathers under a Tree at the Water's Edge is a print by the Impressionist artist Aristide Maillol. It dates from 1895 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Two Bathers under a Tree at the Water’s Edge is a 1895 print by French sculptor and draughtsman Aristide Maillol. Executed in a single sheet, the work is part of the Cleveland Museum of Art’s collection. It presents a quiet riverside scene in which two nude women stand beside the water, one reaching toward a low-hanging branch.
Subject & Meaning
The composition focuses on the intimate interaction between the figures and their natural surroundings. The taller figure’s gesture toward the tree suggests a moment of contemplation or a simple, everyday action, while the second figure remains still, emphasizing a balance between movement and repose within the landscape.
Technique & Style
Maillol employs a naturalistic approach, rendering the bodies with careful attention to anatomy and posture. The print’s tonal range captures subtle variations of light on water and foliage, using delicate line work and shading to convey the atmospheric quality of the scene without the loose brushstrokes typical of Impressionist painting.
History & Provenance
Created in 1895, the print entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings through acquisition in the early 20th century, reflecting the museum’s early interest in modern French graphic works. Its presence in the collection illustrates the institution’s broader commitment to representing the transition from academic drawing to modernist experimentation.
Context
Maillol’s print belongs to a period when he was exploring the human figure in a simplified, classical manner, preceding his later fame as a sculptor of monumental nudes. The work aligns with contemporary interests in outdoor leisure scenes, echoing the late‑19th‑century fascination with nature and the body as subjects of artistic study.
Artist & collection
Artist
Aristide Joseph Bonaventure Maillol was a French Catalan sculptor, painter, and printmaker.
