Who painted Figures Bathing in a Stream?

Figures Bathing in a Stream was painted by Nicolas Poussin in 1630.

Where can I see Figures Bathing in a Stream?

Figures Bathing in a Stream is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Figures Bathing in a Stream?

Figures Bathing in a Stream is associated with Renaissance.

Artwork

Figures Bathing in a Stream

Nicolas Poussin , 1630

Figures Bathing in a Stream is an ink drawing by the Renaissance artist Nicolas Poussin. It dates from 1630 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Nicolas Poussin’s drawing titled *Figures Bathing in a Stream* dates from around 1630. Executed with pen and brown ink, the work is further softened by a brown wash applied to laid paper. The composition presents a modest riverside setting populated by four diminutive nude figures, rendered in a restrained palette of earth tones.

Subject & Meaning

The scene captures a moment of quiet activity beside a watercourse: three figures stand at the bank, while a fourth bends to retrieve an object from the shallows. The unclothed bodies suggest a natural, perhaps mythological, context, emphasizing the human form in relation to a tranquil landscape.

Technique & Style

Poussin employs swift, fluid lines to convey the figures’ gestures, while cross‑hatching builds subtle tonal variation across the paper. The brown wash adds a gentle atmospheric veil, unifying the composition. The drawing’s loose handling contrasts with the artist’s more polished oil paintings, revealing his preparatory approach.

History & Provenance

Created in the early 1630s, the drawing is executed on laid paper that shows signs of age, including frayed edges and slight discoloration. Its provenance traces back to private collections before entering a museum holding, where it is displayed as an example of Poussin’s draftsmanship.

Context

During the early seventeenth century, Poussin was developing a classical language of composition, often drawing on antiquity for subject matter. This study reflects his interest in the human figure and the integration of narrative within a natural environment, a theme recurrent in his larger works.