The Bathers
Gustave Courbet · 1853
Why it's great
A large woman steps out of a pond as her companion watches, in a Realist take on a classical theme. When it was shown in 1853, critics and the emperor were scandalized. Courbet liked to shock. It's a famous painting about honesty and realism.
Where to see it
📍 Musée FabreMontpellier, France
Open in Maps ↗ About this museum →Hang it on your wall
Three places to look for a print of this painting, from budget to museum-grade:
These links open search results on each shop's own website; we don't sell anything or earn a commission, and print quality varies by seller. Ask a grown-up before you buy anything.
Gustave Courbet was born in Ornans, in eastern France, and moved to Paris to become an artist. He led the Realism movement, insisting on painting real people and real life instead of myths. He was outspoken and got into political trouble, and he fled to Switzerland in the end. He died there in 1877.
