catalog text
FRENCH SCHOOL
Early 20th century
At the Bath
Oil on canvas | Signed lower left illegibly
Item # 109UPI24Z
An exquisite tonalist work from the French School of the early 20th century, this fine work in oil on canvas captures a young woman bathing openly in an outside bath. She stands before a tall concrete wall with a knee resting on an bench, a large draped linen spilling over the wall and bench onto the ground while a jar of water is perched on the seat. Just over the wall we see the hint of foliage and trees. It is a scene of endless layering of pigments to create the highly complex tonal quality of the scene; every element is rich with texture and minute variation. Perhaps most compelling is the use of light in the scene, highlighting the woman with subtle shadows and textures to only suggest depth and evoke musculature. The diaphonous linen seems to reflect a blue light back at the viewer while the only harsh shadows are cast by the jar of water.
The work is signed in the lower left corner somewhat illegibly. It is housed in a wonderful carved giltwood frame.
Measurements: 28 3/4" H x 20 1/8" W [canvas]; 37 3/4" H x 28 7/8" W x 1 3/4" D [frame]
Condition Report:
Cleaned by our conservator and sealed in a traditional Damar varnish. Relined on synthetic linen over original stretchers [1 key replaced, 1 key missing]; some craquelure throughout; under UV with inpainting in the lower left corner around the signature [signature flares under UV, suggesting it may have been added], spot of inpainting center-left (left of her elbow in draped linen), speck touch-up to her cheek. A fine contemporary giltwood frame with only minor abrasions.