Trois baigneuses 1879 - 1882

Here we see Paul Cézanne’s "Trois baigneuses", an oil painting that captures nude female figures within a natural landscape. The act of bathing, as depicted here, carries echoes of classical antiquity, reminiscent of Diana and her nymphs. These scenes, common in Renaissance and Baroque art, often symbolize purity and renewal. However, Cézanne strips away the explicit allegorical content, focusing instead on the forms and their relationship to the surrounding environment. Notice how the figures, though seemingly natural, are constructed with a geometric sensibility. This approach recalls the classical ideal of the human form while also pushing towards a modern abstraction. Bathing women are an enduring motif in art history, resurfacing time and again. Through each iteration, the symbol evolves, reflecting changing cultural values and artistic movements. In Cézanne's hands, the classical theme is reborn, infused with a modern sensibility that continues to resonate.