Nude at the Bathtub 1885 - 1905

Alexandre-Louis-Marie Charpentier created this bronze relief titled 'Nude at the Bathtub' at the turn of the century. This was a period defined by rapid social change and evolving attitudes towards the human body, particularly the female form. Charpentier's approach to the nude is fascinating. Rather than presenting an idealized or allegorical figure, he offers us an intimate glimpse of a woman in her private space. There's a vulnerability to her posture. She's caught in a moment of transition, and the lack of explicit narrative invites us to consider her psychological state. This work exists in a complex dialogue with the traditional representations of women in art history. While nodding to the classical nude, Charpentier departs from the male gaze by focusing on the everyday and the personal. This piece offers a nuanced perspective on femininity and challenges the established norms of its time. It prompts us to reflect on the intersection of public expectations and private experiences that continue to shape women's lives today.