Artwork
The Bathers
The Bathers is an oil painting by the Post-Impressionist artist Paul Cezanne. It dates from 1900 and is held in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.
About this work
Overview
The Bathers, a painting by Paul Cézanne created in 1900, exemplifies his late Post-Impressionist style, bridging 19th-century Impressionism and the dawn of modernism. Executed in oil paint, it is part of a series depicting bathers and is currently housed at the Art Institute of Chicago.
Subject & Meaning
The painting portrays a group of nude figures within a landscape setting, arranged informally in various poses. The composition conveys a sense of structured solidity, characteristic of Cézanne's departure from Impressionist spontaneity towards a more geometric and simplified form.
Technique & Style
Cézanne employed bold, expressive brushstrokes to capture the texture and movement of the figures. The thick application of paint in certain areas adds depth and energetic vitality to the work, set against a muted palette dominated by greens, blues, and browns.
History & Provenance
Created in 1900, The Bathers is part of Cézanne's later body of work, reflecting his evolving approach to form and space. The painting is now part of the permanent collection at the Art Institute of Chicago.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Paul Cézanne was born on January 19, 1839, in Aix-en-Provence, the son of a hatter turned wealthy banker.
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