A Bather
1894
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1894
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This painting shows a lone figure bending over by a body of water. The brushwork is loose and sketchy, with dark, heavy strokes for the trees and water. The person’s form is barely defined, blending into the background. The artist used a technique that leaves parts of the paper visible, giving it a rough, unfinished look. This was made in 1894, when artists were experimenting with new ways to capture light and movement. Check out impasto to see how artists use thick paint in their work.
