'The Bather' by Louis Latapie (1924)

'The Bather', oil on fine art paper, by Louis Robert Arthur Latapie (1924). A captivating example from the long tradition of depicting the bather, this early work by celebrated French artist Louis Latapie, is both seductive and serene. A woman reclines in quiet repose, perhaps in the lush Mediterranean garden of a waterfront villa. Her gaze is fixed thoughtfully into the distance, suggesting a narrative just beyond the frame. Rendered in Latapie’s earlier, neoclassical style—before his later evolution into Cubism and abstraction—this painting exudes warmth, nostalgia, and the languid elegance of the 1920s South of France. The artist captures both the sensuality of the figure and the tranquility of her surroundings with remarkable sensitivity. The artwork is in good condition overall and has been newly framed under anti-reflective glass with a French-style linen slip, enhancing its timeless appeal (please note a slight fragment missing in the upper right hand of the new frame about a third of an inch long or about one centimetre). It is signed and dated in the lower right hand. Please enjoy the many photos accompanying this listing. Upon request a video will be provided.

About the Artist: Louis Latapie (1891-1972) was a celebrated French painter whose international reputation endures today. Over the course of his long and prolific career, he exhibited regularly at the leading Paris Salons, including the Salon des Indépendants, the Salon d’Automne, and the Salon des Tuileries. His work was also featured in numerous solo and group exhibitions, notably Art et Résistance at the Musée d’Art Moderne in Paris (1946). Following his death in 1972, Latapie was honoured with a major retrospective at the Palais des Papes in Avignon—an accolade shared with modern masters such as Braque and Picasso. Subsequent retrospectives were held in 1988 at both the Musée Rapin and the Musée des Augustins. Latapie's paintings have appeared in major international exhibitions and auctions and are held in prominent public collections worldwide, including the Musée National d’Art Moderne, Centre Georges Pompidou (Paris); the Musée d’Art Moderne (Paris and Geneva); and city museums in Toulouse, Avignon, and Poitiers.

Dimensions with frame:

H 64 cm / 25.2"

W 75 cm / 29.5"

Dimensions without Frame:

H 40.5 cm / 15.9"

W 51.5 cm / 20.3"