Study for "Greek Girls Bathing" c. 1872

Elihu Vedder created this study with pencil on paper for his painting “Greek Girls Bathing.” The artwork depicts a nude woman, her hair elegantly pinned up, seated and draped with fabric. The motif of bathing women is ancient, a continuous thread through art history. From the depictions on Grecian urns to Renaissance paintings, this image symbolizes purity and beauty. The seated pose, reminiscent of classical sculptures, ties the figure to a long tradition of representing the female form. Think of Venus, often shown emerging from the sea, or Diana, surprised in her bath. Yet, here, the woman’s averted gaze and the sketch-like quality evoke introspection. The act of bathing, often public in ancient times, becomes intimate. This evolution reflects a shift in cultural values, from communal experiences to private moments. The bathing figure, resurfacing through time, shows us how the collective memory informs and transforms our understanding of beauty and self-reflection.