The Bather with Outstretched Arms 1980 - 1981

"The Bather with Outstretched Arms" (1980-1981) by Graham Nickson, is a five-panel painting depicting a solitary figure standing on a rock with arms extended towards a horizon. The use of a vibrant blue color palette emphasizes the vastness of the sea and sky. The figure, seemingly on the edge of a dive, evokes a sense of anticipation and the potential for action, creating a tension between the individual and the expansive landscape. Nickson's work often explored themes of isolation and the human condition, often using landscape as a backdrop for introspection. This painting exemplifies his signature style of bold, flat colors and stark compositions.