Les Baigneuses – Les Filles De La Source 

Henri Lehmann painted "Les Baigneuses – Les Filles De La Source" during a time when academic art was the standard and artists often drew inspiration from classical mythology. Here, Lehmann presents us with a scene of women, nymphs perhaps, in a classical style, their bodies idealized, posed within an untouched natural landscape. But what happens if we move past the surface of classical beauty? Who are these women, really? Lehmann, as a male artist, was painting for a largely male gaze, placing these women in nature, as objects of beauty. But it's clear that they're also together, supporting each other, maybe even finding strength in their collective presence. Does this image simply reinforce traditional roles, or does it subtly offer a narrative of female solidarity and support? I encourage you to consider how these tensions coexist within the painting.