The Small Bather (1828) by Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres

The Small Bather - Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres - 1828

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Artwork Information

TitleThe Small Bather
ArtistJean Auguste Dominique Ingres
Date1828
Mediumoil,canvas
Art MovementNeoclassicism,Orientalism

About The Small Bather

“The Small Bather” is a captivating artwork created by the French artist Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres in the year 1828. This oil on canvas piece finds its roots in the Neoclassical and Orientalist movements that were prominent during that time. The genre of the artwork falls under portraiture, capturing a moment of tranquil repose and idealized beauty.

The artwork showcases a young nude woman, seen from behind, sitting at the edge of what appears to be a bathing area. Her skin is rendered with a smooth, marble-like texture, reflecting Ingres’s admiration for the purity of classical form. The bather’s posture is serene, with her head gently turned to the side, crowned by a brightly patterned turban that contrasts with her pale skin and adds an exotic touch characteristic of Orientalism. In the background, there are several other figures in various states of undress and engagement: some are in conversation, one is seated with her back turned, displaying the length of her hair, while another is entering the bath.

The treatment of light and shadow gives the scene a soft, diffused atmosphere, while the use of color emphasizes the contrasts between the rich drapery and the delicate tones of the figures’ flesh. The composition as a whole is both intimate and detached, inviting the observer to admire the idealized forms synonymous with Neoclassical aesthetics, yet maintaining a narrative distance. Ingres’s skill in form and contour is evident, demonstrating his mastery in blending the ideal with the sensual, and his ability to infuse the artwork with a calm, timeless elegance.

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