The Bather (After the Bath) 1888

Editor: Here we have Renoir's "The Bather (After the Bath)" from 1888, an oil painting depicting a nude woman in water. I find the texture fascinating – the way the brushstrokes create the water's movement. What strikes you most about this work? Curator: The materiality of Renoir's painting immediately draws my attention. Observe the process by which he layered paint. The labor involved in creating these works points to a deliberate emphasis on physical craft and commodity. What social structures are implicit in a female nude intended for an elite male consumer? Editor: That's an interesting point. I hadn't considered the economics of the piece. Do you think Renoir was making a commentary on this consumption? Curator: Perhaps, but consider the prevailing attitudes and market forces that influenced Renoir's production. He was clearly meeting the demands of his patrons, but the level of craftsmanship raises the question of whether Renoir felt some form of craft pride despite producing for this market. Where does 'art' begin and labor end in a piece like this, in the late 19th century? Is this 'high art,' or skillfully manufactured visual object? Editor: So, by looking at the paint itself, the brushstrokes, the way it's constructed, we're really examining its role as a produced object, embedded in the economic system of its time? Curator: Precisely. And considering that helps us question the value we assign to art versus craft. The texture and evident labor in this piece open doors for critical conversations about class, gender and wealth. Editor: This definitely gives me a new perspective. Thanks! Curator: Likewise, I’m also thinking of new aspects about Renoir's place within his society.