The Large Bathers By Paul Cézanne, Oil Painting

"The Large Bathers" by Paul Cézanne is a reinterpretation of a historical tradition in which famous artists such as Titian and Poussin paint nudes in the landscape. Historically, artists were inspired by classical myths, but Cézanne did not describe a mythological story that was more about the harmony of the figures with the landscape. The Bathers' series of paintings inspired Picasso, Matisse, and other early twentieth century artists who explored and developed new art movements. 'Bathers' is reminiscent of earlier artist works and forms the basis for comparisons with more modern works such as Picasso's Les Demoiselles d'Avignon.

This painting is the largest of a series of Bather paintings that Cézanne created towards the end of his life. With each new version of the bathers, Cézanne moved away from the traditional paintings and intentionally created works of art for an audience that was more interested in new forms of art. Cézanne wanted to pave the way for future artists to ignore current trends, and focused on painting, which gave his work a timeless quality. The abstract nudes are symmetrical to the triangular and rounded patterns of the trees, reminiscent of landscapes and still lifes. Cézanne worked on this painting for seven years and it remained unfinished.

"I want to turn Impressionism into an art as solid as the museums."

Paul Cézanne was a post-Impressionist painter who laid the foundations for the transition from 19th-century Impressionism to 20th-century Cubism. Both Matisse and Picasso have noted that Cézanne is "the father of us all". Cézanne's art is characterized by repetitive, exploratory little brushstrokes that build into complex color fields and demonstrate his intense engagement with his subjects.