“The Bather,” created by Fernand Léger in 1932, is a genre painting affiliated with the Surrealism art movement. The artwork measures 98 x 130 cm and is currently housed at the Musée National Fernand Léger in Biot, France.
The artwork depicts an abstract human figure seated with one arm arched over its head and the other extending sideways. The figure’s elongated limbs and simplified, geometric forms showcase Léger’s unique style. The dominant colors include shades of pink and beige, contrasted with deep green and blue in the background and the draped fabric-like element the figure seems to be holding. On the right side of the artwork, there is an abstract, organic-shaped entity that adds to the surreal quality of the composition. The overall scene exudes a sense of calm and introspection, characteristic of genre paintings, yet rendered through the imaginative and dream-like lens of Surrealism.
