Four Bathers 1895

Camille Pissarro made this etching, Four Bathers, in France towards the end of the 19th century. It reflects the growing artistic interest in depicting everyday life, moving away from historical or mythological scenes. What might be considered as radical here is Pissarro’s choice to depict nude women without idealizing them according to academic conventions. Instead, they appear as ordinary figures in a natural setting, a scene that challenges the traditional art establishment’s preference for carefully posed, polished nudes. The informal setting and natural poses suggest a desire to represent women outside the confines of social expectations. Pissarro was associated with anarchist circles and actively interested in the daily lives of working-class citizens. In this context, Four Bathers can be seen as a visual expression of progressive values, in which female figures are liberated from artifice. To better understand Pissarro’s artistic choices, we can consult his letters and the writings of his contemporaries, gaining insight into the social and institutional contexts of his time.