Nu descendant de la baignoire (Nude descending from the bathtub)
Painting on paper, likely mounted on canvas or board • Pierre Bonnard
Style & Movement
Les Nabis / Post-Impressionism / Intimism
Medium & Technique
Gouache, pastel, or oil on paper. Features loose, sketchy brushwork, layering of colors, and an emphasis on texture over precise detail.
Creation Period
Circa 1940-1945
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 40 x 30 cm; Portrait orientation
Subject Description
The painting depicts a nude female figure (likely the artist’s wife and muse, Marthe de Méligny) stepping out of a bathtub. The composition uses Bonnard's characteristic 'vibrant' and diffused light, blurring the boundaries between the figure and the domestic interior backdrop. The blue and yellow tones suggest a bathroom setting with floral or tiled patterns.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Very Good. The paper appears stabilized, though there is visible texture consistent with age-related undulation.
Estimated Market Value
$1,500,000 - $3,000,000 USD
Auction Estimate
$1,200,000 - $2,500,000 USD
Provenance History
Likely from the artist's estate or a private French collection before entering a public institution. Bonnard's bathroom series is well-documented in major museum collections like the Musée d'Orsay and MoMA.
Art Historical Significance
Crucial part of Bonnard's late period where his focus on domesticity and the female nude evolved into a mastery of color and psychological depth. This series revolutionized the 'intimist' genre by transforming banal moments into luminous, almost transcendental experiences.
Notable Features
Distinctive use of blue and golden-yellow contrasts; the 'dissolving' contour of the figure which is a hallmark of late Bonnard; contemporary oak 'shadow box' style frame.
Condition Issues
Potential yellowing of the paper support; minor pigment fading common with light-sensitive gouache/pastel; slight warping of the paper at the edges.
Conservation Recommendations
Keep in a temperature and humidity-controlled environment; ensure UV-protective glazing is used in the frame given the light-sensitive nature of the medium; avoid direct sunlight.