Study of Woman Bathing 1739

Editor: Here we have Étienne Fessard’s "Study of a Woman Bathing," an etching from 1739, housed here at the Met. It feels... intimate, but in a detached way? I’m curious, what kind of stories do you think it can tell us? Curator: This piece invites us to consider the complex gaze surrounding the female nude in art history, and the power dynamics involved. Think about it: who is commissioning these works, who is viewing them, and how does that shape the way women are represented? Does she seem like she is bathing for herself? Or is she conscious of an outside gaze? Editor: I see what you mean. The way her gaze is averted does imply some modesty or discomfort. Are there other details that support your reading? Curator: Absolutely. Consider the Baroque style, popular at the time. It was often used to celebrate power and wealth. But what happens when it’s applied to a female nude? Does it become a celebration of female sensuality, or an objectification? And what do you think her downcast glance tells us about the social constraints placed on women in that era? Editor: It feels contradictory. This style seems so opulent but her posture is not. Now, noticing the tension of the body and its composition gives new light to my first read as ‘intimate.’ Curator: Precisely! And that contradiction is precisely where the power of this image lies. By analyzing it through a feminist lens, we can unpack the historical and cultural forces that shaped not only this particular artwork but also the broader representation of women in art. It's more than just an image of a woman, right? It’s a window into a specific moment in history. Editor: Definitely! I appreciate that you moved us to unpack it this way! Now, I'll carry more understanding as to why she has been posed in this style! Curator: I'm glad to see you understood the value in approaching art with such open inquiry and dialogue.