Artwork
After the Bath (Female Nude)
After the Bath (Female Nude) is an oil painting by the Post-Impressionist artist Raimundo de Madrazo y Garreta. It dates from 1898 and is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1898, *After the Bath (Female Nude)* is an oil painting by Spanish artist Raimundo de Madrazo y Garreta. The work portrays a partially clothed woman seated on an ornate chair, her bare limbs and the delicate play of light on her skin forming the focal point. The composition includes a pink headpiece, a thin slip, a small stool, a scattered pile of garments, and a metal cup nearby.
Subject & Meaning
The scene captures a moment of private repose following bathing, emphasizing the vulnerability and intimacy of the female form. The juxtaposition of the elegant chair and the casual disarray of clothing suggests a transition between public decorum and personal relaxation, inviting contemplation of the everyday rituals surrounding the body.
Technique & Style
Madrazo employs a realistic approach enriched by subtle Rococo flourishes and hints of Japanese compositional influence. The handling of light follows chiaroscuro principles: illuminated patches on the skin contrast with deeper shadows, imparting a three‑dimensional presence. The brushwork remains controlled, yet the soft tonal transitions convey a tactile sense of flesh and fabric.
History & Provenance
Raimundo de Madrazo, a member of the prominent Madrazo artistic dynasty, produced this work during a period when his style began to absorb decorative and exotic elements. The painting entered the collection of the Museo del Prado, where it remains part of the museum’s holdings of late 19th‑century Spanish painting.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Raimundo de Madrazo y Garreta (24 July 1841 – 15 September 1920) was a Spanish painter from the Madrazo family of artists who worked in the Realistic style, although his later work shows signs of Rococo and Japanese influence.
