Bather

Derain studied at the Acad_mie Carri_re in Paris, where he met Matisse. He also deepened his friendship with Vlaminck and took part in the Fauvist movement with them. Around 1908, he was influenced by Picasso and Braque’s Cubism. In addition to oil paintings, he was active in a broad range of fields such as sculpture and stage design.

In his early years, influenced by Matisse and Vlaminck, Derain painted portraits and landscapes in striking colors. Thereafter, he became an ardent admirer of C_zanne’s works and was also keen on African sculpture. In due course, his subjects of interest extended to medieval art such as the Romanesque and Gothic styles, Renaissance art, and nineteenth century French academic art. Such studies of diverse arts of the past are fully exploited in this work. The tan body produces a rich sense of volume and a metallic texture, projecting a Middle Eastern, exotic atmosphere. By means of clear-cut lines and composition, Derain aimed at emphasizing the nude woman’s existence itself.