Volpini Suite: Breton Bathers (Baigneuses Bretonnes)

1889

From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art

Impressionism Realism Late 19th Century Nude

Dominant colour

Volpini Suite: Breton Bathers (Baigneuses Bretonnes) is a 1889 by Paul Gauguin, a Impressionism work, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.

Who painted this?: Paul Gauguin
When & what style?: 1889 · Impressionism
Where can I see it?: Cleveland Museum of Art

About this work

This print shows a woman bending over, her back to us, with one arm raised. The drawing is loose and sketchy, with thick, dark lines against a light background. In the background, there’s a faint outline of a building and some small figures, almost like a distant crowd. The artist used bold, uneven strokes to show the body’s curves and shadows. The style feels quick and rough, like a sketch rather than a finished painting. If you like this style, check out Impressionism.

About the artist

Artist

Paul Gauguin

Eugène Henri Paul Gauguin (; French: ; 7 June 1848 – 8 May 1903) was a French painter, sculptor, printmaker, ceramist, and writer, whose work has been primarily associated with the Post-Impressionist and Symbolist movements.

See the richer artist page