Provenance
Ambroise Vollard (1866–1939), Paris [Dauberville and Dauberville, 2009]. Sold by Adrien Hébrard (1833–1914), Paris, to Bernheim-Jeune & Cie., Paris, May 29, 1925 [Dauberville and Dauberville, 2009]; sold to Walter S. Brewster (1872–1954) and Kate L. Brewster (c. 1879–1947), Lake Forest, Ill., Mar. 19, 1926 [invoice]; bequeathed by Kate L. Brewster to the Art Institute of Chicago, 1949.
Accession Number
65814
Medium
Red, white, and black chalk, with stumping, and black Conté crayon on tan wove (tracing) paper, laid down on canvas
Dimensions
98.9 × 63.5 cm (38 15/16 × 25 in.)
Classification
chalk
Credit Line
Bequest of Kate L. Brewster
Background & Context
Background Story
Pierre-Auguste Renoir's Splashing Figure (Study for The Large Bathers) is a preparatory study for one of Renoir's most ambitious paintings. Renoir (1841-1919) was a founding Impressionist who later developed a more classical style. This study shows a bather splashing in water, the figure rendered with the lively brushwork characteristic of Renoir.
Cultural Impact
Renoir's bather paintings are among the most important works of late Impressionism.
Why It Matters
This study captures the energy and movement of a bather.
