Two Woman Bathers Seen from Behind 

Charles Demuth made this pencil drawing, "Two Woman Bathers Seen from Behind," in the United States, sometime in the early 20th century. The drawing depicts two women in simple bathing suits, their backs turned to the viewer. Demuth was part of a generation of artists grappling with the legacy of academic art while exploring new, modern forms of expression. This piece, though modest in its execution, reflects an increasing interest in everyday subjects, a rejection of the grand narratives and idealized forms of the past. It is an intriguing example of how artists began to look at ordinary life—recreation, leisure, and the human body itself—as worthy of artistic attention. Studying Demuth's correspondence and the exhibition history of his works helps us understand how this piece fits into broader shifts in artistic and cultural values.