Bathing Women 1898

Jean-Léon Gérôme painted 'Bathing Women' sometime in the late 19th century, a period of profound social and cultural change in France. Gérôme was a product of the French academic system, yet this painting also signals an interest in Orientalism, a widespread fascination with the "exotic" cultures of the Middle East and North Africa. The scene, while ostensibly a classical subject, is rendered with a cool, almost voyeuristic gaze, reflecting the European male's fantasy of the harem. The painting also invites us to think about the representation of women in art, and the male gaze, since Gérôme painted for a largely male audience, and this is certainly something a social historian of art would want to find out more about. Ultimately, understanding art like this requires us to explore the archives, delving into the social, political, and economic conditions that shaped its creation and reception.