Who painted Women Bathers and a Roll of Paper?

Women Bathers and a Roll of Paper was painted by Paul Cezanne in 1884.

Where can I see Women Bathers and a Roll of Paper?

Women Bathers and a Roll of Paper is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Women Bathers and a Roll of Paper?

Women Bathers and a Roll of Paper is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

Women Bathers and a Roll of Paper

Paul Cezanne , 1884

Women Bathers and a Roll of Paper is a graphite drawing by the Impressionist artist Paul Cezanne. It dates from 1884 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1884, Women Bathers and a Roll of Paper is a graphite drawing on wove paper by Paul Cézanne. The sheet contains two separate studies of female figures, each rendered in quick, gestural lines that emphasize overall form rather than fine detail. The work exemplifies Cézanne’s practice of using sketchbook drawings as preparatory investigations for larger compositions.

Subject & Meaning

Both sketches portray nude women in different poses. The left figure presents a head and shoulders, chin lowered and hair gathered, suggesting introspection. The right figure shows a head and upper torso with loose hair and arms lifted, conveying a more open, dynamic stance. Together they explore variations in posture and the interplay of concealment and exposure within the nude genre.

Technique & Style

Cézanne employed graphite on smooth wove paper, allowing for delicate tonal transitions and a soft overall appearance. The lines are loose and expressive, capturing the volumetric masses of the bodies with minimal cross‑hatching. This approach highlights the artist’s interest in underlying geometric shapes and the modulation of light and shadow through simple strokes.

History & Provenance

The drawing originates from Cézanne’s sketchbooks, a common repository for his experimental studies during the 1880s. While the specific collection history of this sheet is not extensively documented, such preparatory works were typically retained by the artist for reference and later incorporated into larger oil paintings of bathers.