More Bathers, Badende (2/3)

More Bathers (Badende) in print (2/3)

Following Emil Ganso's “Bathers” (L, posting march-24) and my stream of consciousness here are some more examples and variations on a theme. In a similar arrangement John Buckland-Wright's (1897-1954) composition (R). 

Stephen J. Laurent (cont.)

"Badende" has in German a both singular and plural meaning. Limiting the vast number of works showing a bathing woman and bathing women depicted in art-in-general this posting is limited showing examples of multiple bathing females shown by printmakers. Starting with examples by German printmakers. 

German expressionist printmakers Erich Heckel (1883-1970), Otto Müller (1874-1930), Ernst Ludwig Kirchner (1880-1938) and Max Pechstein (1881-1955) dedicated much of their lives and work to "Badende" prints both in color as in black and white. Others more incidentally turned to this theme like Karl Schmidt-Rottluff (1884-1976) and Emil Nolde.

 Erich Heckel

Otto Müller 

 Ernst Ludwig Kirchner 

Max Pechstein

This particular theme, “bathers”, a mix of mythical Three Graces: Aglaya, Euphrosyne and Thalya devoted to Charm, Virtue, Beauty and Creativity,  and Nymphs: the divine spirits. Added to the idealised by men (how many of them actually have ever whitnessed such a gathering of women?) aesthetic beauty of female nudity in an arcadial setting and multiplied by 3.

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner (L.),  Karl Schmidt-Rottluff (R.)

One of the very few exceptions is made by Max Liebermann (1847-1935) who earlier (in the last years of 19th century) created his controversial and thought homo erotical etchings and paintings of bathing boys. An opinion we now consider phobic and pathetic of course. They are what they are. And great works of art.   

Alfredo Müller (1869-1939) who besides women must have had a great  admiration for Rembrandt.

 Hans Juchser (1894-1977)

The list of examples is sheer endless of course, these examples a personal choice. 

ADDED: 16 April 2012

German reader Michael Kriegeskorte send me this unsigned and not monogrammed expressionist "Badende" print. Please help with identification (possibly Walther Klemm ?)