Artwork
Nymphs Bathing
Nymphs Bathing is a print by the Baroque artist François de Poilly. It dates from 1635 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
François de Poilly’s 1635 print, titled Nymphs Bathing, presents a tranquil riverside scene populated by three nude women and a few ancillary figures. Executed on paper, the image derives from an earlier composition by Giulio Romano and was once included in the prestigious Crozat Gallery collection.
Subject & Meaning
The central figures are portrayed as bathing women, positioned in a wooded riverbank setting. One leans into the water, another rests on the shore, and a third stands nearby, while a distant male observer and a draped figure on the grass complete the tableau. Though labeled as "nymphs," the figures appear as ordinary women immersed in a natural landscape.
Technique & Style
Poilly employs delicate shading to model the bodies, creating a sense of volume and three‑dimensionality. The interplay of light and shadow across the foliage and water suggests a chiaroscuro influence, enhancing the illusion of depth and lending the scene a realistic atmospheric quality.
History & Provenance
The print is a reproductive work after Giulio Romano’s original design, reflecting the 17th‑century practice of disseminating Italian compositions through French engravers. It entered the renowned Crozat Gallery, a collection assembled by the French financier Pierre Crozat, before passing into subsequent private holdings.
Artist & collection
Artist
François de Poilly made intricate religious prints and engravings in 17th-century France.
