Preparing For The Bath 1900

John William Godward, working around the turn of the 20th century, made this image with oil paint on canvas. The illusionistic skill on display here is astounding. To convincingly render flesh, hair, and especially the sheer fabric of the woman’s garment is a remarkable feat of observation and dexterity. But it’s worth noting that the classical subject is itself a kind of material, carefully chosen and arranged. Godward was part of a large and very competitive industry of artists, all trying to catch the eye of wealthy patrons. And so he gave them what they wanted: a vision of antiquity that was safe, sensual, and completely removed from the pressing social issues of the day. The incredible effort put into the painting’s surface is all the more striking, considering its almost complete lack of social engagement. In this respect, Preparing for the Bath is an important reminder that fine art and craft have always been intertwined with economics, labor, and aspiration.