Studies of Bathers 1838 - 1909

Walter Shirlaw made this pencil sketch, "Studies of Bathers," sometime during his career as an American artist trained in Munich in the late 19th century. During this period, the male nude in art occupied an ambivalent space. On one hand, it was a classical subject, referencing ideals of beauty and virility. On the other hand, depictions of the nude male body were becoming more prevalent, often sparking discussions about masculinity, vulnerability, and even homoeroticism in a rapidly changing social landscape. In these studies, Shirlaw captures the bathers in moments of repose, their postures suggesting introspection or camaraderie. The artist's sketch invites us to reflect on how bodies carry stories and reflect the complexities of identity. Each line contributes to a broader narrative about the self.