Who painted Study for "Greek Girls Bathing"?

Study for "Greek Girls Bathing" was painted by Elihu Vedder in 1872.

Where can I see Study for "Greek Girls Bathing"?

Study for "Greek Girls Bathing" is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Study for "Greek Girls Bathing"?

Study for "Greek Girls Bathing" is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

Study for "Greek Girls Bathing"

Elihu Vedder , 1872

Study for "Greek Girls Bathing" is an oil drawing by the Impressionist artist Elihu Vedder. It dates from 1872 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Elihu Vedder, an American artist active in the late nineteenth century, produced a preparatory oil study for a larger composition titled “Greek Girls Bathing” around 1872. Executed on a sheet of prepared wove paper, the work functions as a sketch rather than a finished painting, revealing the artist’s process in developing a classical subject.

Subject & Meaning

The drawing presents a solitary female figure seen in profile, her body nude except for a loosely draped cloth that covers one arm. The pose and setting reference ancient Greek bathing scenes, reflecting Vedder’s interest in antiquity and the allegorical potential of the nude form.

Technique & Style

Vedder applied oil directly to the paper, allowing the medium’s texture to remain visible. Brushstrokes are left exposed, especially along the edges, giving the surface a rough, unfinished quality. The palette is restrained, dominated by earth tones with a subtle accent of red at the figure’s feet, emphasizing form over color.

History & Provenance

Created during Vedder’s early career, the study predates his most widely known illustration work for Edward FitzGerald’s *The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam*. The piece remains documented as part of the artist’s oeuvre, illustrating his preparatory methods before undertaking larger, more polished compositions.