Bather
c. 1890
Medium
bronze
Dimensions
overall: 15.2 x 13.7 cm (6 x 5 3/8 in.)
Classification
Sculpture
Department
CSD
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Eugene L. and Marie-Louise Garbáty Fund
Accession Number
2004.138.1
Art Historical Context
**Bather** by Alexandre Charpentierc. 1890) is a charming small-scale bronze sculpture, measuring just 15. x 13.7 cm, that captures the intimate grace of a woman at rest. Created during the Belle Époque in France, this piece reflects the late 19th-century fascination with the female form in everyday, private moments, a theme popular among sculptors exploring naturalism and sensuality. Charpentier a French artist known for refined bronze figures, often drew from daily life to create works blending realism with subtle decorative flair. Bronze as a medium was ideal for such intimate pieces—its l...