“Bather,” created by Kazimir Malevich in 1911, is an artwork rendered in gouache on paper, associated with the Fauvism art movement. Measuring 105 x 69 cm, this portrait can be viewed at the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
The artwork depicts a human figure, dynamically poised with an arm raised and a leg forward in mid-stride. The vibrant and multifaceted color palette consists of bold reds, blues, greens, yellows, and whites, creating a visual harmony that is characteristic of Fauvism’s emphasis on strong, expressive color over representational accuracy. The figure is outlined in black, making it stand out against the equally vivid and abstract background, which appears as a patchwork of colors. The composition and execution reflect Malevich’s early exploration of abstraction and the influence of Fauvist principles.