Who painted The Bathers (Small Plate)?

The Bathers (Small Plate) was painted by Paul Cezanne in 1897.

Where can I see The Bathers (Small Plate)?

The Bathers (Small Plate) is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is The Bathers (Small Plate)?

The Bathers (Small Plate) is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

The Bathers (Small Plate)

Paul Cezanne , 1897

The Bathers (Small Plate) is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Paul Cezanne. It dates from 1897 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Paul Cézanne’s small lithographic plate titled *The Bathers* dates from 1897.

About this work

Overview

Paul Cézanne’s small lithographic plate titled *The Bathers* dates from 1897. Executed in color on laid paper, the work presents a modestly sized print that captures a tranquil outdoor scene populated by five nude male figures. The composition balances the figures against a simplified natural backdrop, reflecting Cézanne’s late‑period interest in form and spatial harmony.

Subject & Meaning

The image depicts five unclothed men arranged casually within a landscape, some engaged with one another while others turn away. Their poses suggest a leisurely gathering rather than a narrative episode, inviting contemplation of the human form in relation to nature. The understated interaction underscores Cézanne’s focus on the study of volume and the quiet presence of bodies within space.

Technique & Style

Cézanne employed the lithographic process to render bold, decisive outlines and broad, flat expanses of color. The palette relies on muted earth tones, reinforcing a calm atmosphere. Simplified, solid shapes replace intricate detail, emphasizing structural clarity over surface ornamentation—a hallmark of his approach to translating painterly concerns into printmaking.

History & Provenance

Created in the final decade of Cézanne’s career, the lithograph reflects his ongoing exploration of the bathers motif, a subject he revisited in paintings and drawings. While specific ownership records for this particular plate are limited, the work forms part of the broader corpus of Cézanne’s prints that were issued in limited editions during the 1890s.