Tartar Bath, Resting Room 1840

"Tartar Bath, Resting Room," an 1840 lithograph by Auguste Raffet, depicts a bustling scene inside a bathhouse. The lithograph, now housed at the Art Institute of Chicago, showcases Raffet's keen eye for detail, capturing the intricate architecture and the daily life of bathers in a Turkish bath. The composition features a central fountain, a key element of the bathhouse, and numerous figures engaging in various activities. The image captures the sense of relaxation and communal gathering inherent to the traditional Turkish bath, offering a glimpse into a cultural practice in the 19th century.