'The Bathers' by Louis Latapie (circa 1930s)

'The Bathers', oil on canvas, by Louis Latapie (circa 1930s). For centuries, artists have drawn endless inspiration from the modest bather. Whether washing in a tub, in a basin, or in a pond or lake, the bathing figure has popped up in art since ancient times. In the Middle Ages, artists in Europe mostly looked to religious motifs for inspiration. With this in mind, it is no surprise that Medieval bathers are mostly found in works depicting the baptism of Christ. In the context of this long tradition of bathers in art therefore, the artist, Latapie, has painted this extraordinarily seductive and alluring work. Latapie's subjects are often curvaceous and Rubenesque. This splendid work is painted in warmer tones (with a splash of blue) symbolising the affection between artist and subjects. Although later in Latapie's career he embraced cubism and abstraction, this is a rare artwork from his earlier, rather neoclassical style. Given its age, the artwork is in good overall condition having recently been reconditioned by an art restoration professional. The painting has been newly framed with a French-style linen slip. The artwork is signed, 'Latapie', in the lower left 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 highly celebrated French artist who enjoyed an international reputation which continues today. The artist was a painter whose work developed from still lifes and female nudes to a powerfully-coloured Cubism. By the 1950s, his simplification of forms bordered on abstraction. During his long career he exhibited regularly at the major Paris Salons, including the Salon des Indépendants, the Salon d’Automne and the Salon des Tuileries. He had numerous individual and group exhibitions including Art et Résistance Musée d’Art Moderne, Paris in 1946. On his death in 1971, he was honoured, like Braque and Picasso, with a major retrospective at the Palais des Papes in Avignon. Further comprehensive retrospectives of his work were held in 1988 at the Musée Rapin and the Musée des Augustins. Appearing in numerous exhibitions and sold in the major auction houses, his works can be found today in the collections of museums worldwide including the Musée National d’Art Moderne, Centre Georges Pompidou, (Paris); Musée d’Art Moderne, (Paris); Musée d’Art Moderne (Geneva); and the city museums of Toulouse, Avignon and Poitiers. 

“Is this my fault? That in one deep breath, I inhale cubism and exhale fauvism.” - Louis Latapie, in Louis Latapie , Musées de Sens, 2006 (p. 43)

Dimensions with frame:

H 59.5 cm / 23.4"

W 72.5 cm / 28.5"

Dimensions without frame:

H 44.5 cm / 17.5"

W 57.5 cm / 22.6"