The Toilette
- Original dimensions
- 128 x 130 cm
- Movement
- Orientalism
- Museum
- Fabre Museum
- Year
- 1870
Scene depicted
The Toilet is a pictorial work where the simplicity of the daily act of preparing in the morning takes on significant proportions. Bazille captures a young woman, with serene beauty, immersed in a moment of intimacy. Her delicate gestures, as transcribed, create an atmosphere that is both peaceful and full of life. This painting, at the crossroads between reality and art, becomes a manifesto of femininity of its time.
Historical context
Created in 1870, in the enchanting city of Montpellier, this painting belongs to the artistic movement of orientalism. Its historical context, that of an era marked by the rise of impressionism , offers a fascinating backdrop to this painting. Currently exhibited at the Fabre Museum , The Toilet, with its imposing dimensions of 128 x 130 cm, invites mystical and intimate contemplation.
Place in the artist's career
The Toilet, an emblematic work of Frédéric Bazille , represents a centerpiece of his career, the fruit of a style that is both bold and moving. Foreshadowing future successes such as The Family Reunion and The Studio of Édouard Manet, this canvas bears witness to the artist's technical evolution, combining innovative techniques with unparalleled emotional sensitivity.
Anecdote
“I believe that each canvas must tell a story, a fleeting moment frozen forever.” Frédéric Bazille could have declared this while painting The Toilet one spring morning. In the heart of his studio, enveloped by the delicate fragrances of flowers, each brushstroke told his vision of everyday life, transforming the mundane into a true masterpiece.
Major exhibitions
The Black Model from Géricault to Matisse