The Large Bathers

The Large Bathers captures a brief moment when a bather is poised to splash water on her buddy. Renoir's future wife Aline Charigot, the blonde sitting behind her, and the painter Suzanne Valadon, in the foreground, served as models for the painting. The gigantic painting illustrates the artist's desire to reintroduce classical aspects into modern art. The theme of the picture, as well as the sculptural representation of the people, are in keeping with 17th and 18th-century French painting tradition. In contrast to the smaller and more rapidly acquired images of Impressionism, Renoir spent three years completing this painting.

Because of the harsh criticism directed at Renoir's new manner, he never again devoted so much time and effort to a single painting. The picture is today considered one of Renoir's finest masterpieces, and it is his most renowned nude.

Pierre Auguste Renoir is well-known for representing naked ladies in his paintings, and The Large Bathers is one of the best examples. Apart from displaying naked women, this artwork drew notice due to its application of ancient styles in modern art. The Large Bathers by Renoir is on display at the Philadelphia Museum of Art in the United States.

Year: 1884 - 1887

Medium: Oil on canvas

Dimensions: 170 x 115.6 cm

Location: Philadelphia Museum of Art, USA