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

Created circa 1872, this oil study on prepared wove paper serves as a preliminary composition for Elihu Vedder’s larger work titled “Greek Girls Bathing.” The drawing presents a single female figure in a reclining pose, partially covered by a draped cloth. Its purpose was to explore the arrangement of the nude form before committing to the final painting.

Subject & Meaning

The composition focuses on a solitary woman lying on her side, her head supported by her hand. The figure is largely unclothed, save for a modestly folded piece of fabric that conceals the lower torso. The pose suggests a moment of quiet repose, inviting contemplation of the body’s natural curvature and the interplay of modesty and exposure.

Technique & Style

Vedder employed loose, rapid brushwork typical of preparatory sketches, allowing the flesh tones—rich browns and warm reds—to emerge with immediacy. The drapery is rendered in muted grays and beiges, contrasting with the earthier palette of the skin. The background remains unadorned, directing attention to the figure and emphasizing the study’s function as a visual experiment.

History & Provenance

Elihu Vedder, a New York‑born artist known for his symbolist illustrations, produced this study early in his career, prior to his celebrated series of illustrations for Edward FitzGerald’s translation of The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam. The work has remained within the artist’s estate records and is documented in catalogues of his preparatory drawings.

Context

Although Vedder is often associated with the Symbolist movement, this study reflects a realist concern for accurately capturing the human form and its tactile qualities. The quick, sketch‑like execution aligns with 19th‑century academic practices where artists created multiple studies to refine composition, anatomy, and lighting before finalizing a larger canvas.