Bathsheba at Her Bath (or Bathsheba with King David's Letter)
Painting on canvas • Rembrandt van Rijn
Style & Movement
Dutch Golden Age / Baroque
Medium & Technique
Oil on canvas, utilizing chiaroscuro, high-contrast lighting, and loose, expressive brushwork (impasto) in the highlights and textures of the fabric.
Creation Period
1654
Dimensions & Format
142 cm × 142 cm (56 in × 56 in); Square format (presented in a portrait-oriented gilded frame).
Subject Description
A biblical scene from 2 Samuel 11, depicting Bathsheba holding the letter from King David while her servant washes her feet. The composition focuses on Bathsheba's psychological interiority and her moral dilemma, rather than a voyeuristic scene. The model is widely believed to be Hendrickje Stoffels, Rembrandt's partner.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Very Good/Excellent. The work shows natural age-related craquelure but has been professionally conserved and is structurally sound.
Estimated Market Value
$100,000,000 - $150,000,000+ (Estimated, based on its status as a top-tier museum masterpiece; practically priceless).
Auction Estimate
Unavailable (Institutional asset). If it were to come to auction, it would likely set a record for the artist, potentially exceeding $120 million.
Provenance History
Formerly in the collection of Louis XVI; later acquired by Dr. Louis La Caze, who bequeathed his collection to the Louvre in 1869.
Art Historical Significance
One of Rembrandt's greatest masterpieces and one of the most famous nudes in Western art. It is celebrated for its empathetic, humanistic approach to the subject, departing from the more theatrical depictions common in the Baroque era.
Notable Features
The use of Hendrickje Stoffels as a model adds a layer of personal intimacy; notable for the melancholy expression of the protagonist and the exceptional rendering of the crumpled letter in her hand.
Condition Issues
Minor yellowing of historic varnish layers and fine craquelure consistent with 17th-century oil paintings on canvas.
Conservation Recommendations
Maintain in a climate-controlled environment (50% RH, 20°C). Use UV-filtered lighting. Periodical monitoring for varnish oxidation. Current housing in the Louvre provides optimal protection.