Bather, 1915

Dimensions: 47.5 x 23.0 x 18.5 cm

Physical Description: Wire, papier-mâché and plaster

Inventory Number: St.P416

Acquisition: Acquired in 1987 with support from Ernst von Siemens-Kunstfonds and donations from Johanna Quandt, Hoechst AG et. al., property of Städelscher Museums-Verein e.V.

Status: On display, 1st upper level, Modern Art, room 13

Texts

About the Work

'Paragone' is the name given in art history to the 'contest of the arts', in which the main issue was always the relative ranking of painting and sculpture - a rivalry which the Ukrainian sculptor dismisses, as it were, with 'Woman Bathing'. He achieves an equal combination of both genres in the objects in his workgroup to which he gave the name 'sculpto-paintings'. Together they unfold their effect without one of the arts outstripping the other. Made of papier mâché and plaster, the object not only shows a three-dimensional woman's body, but also suggests - by means of blue paint as a part of the work - the water in which she is bathing.

Audio

Exhibition “Outstanding! The Relief from Rodin to Picasso” (2023)

01:32

Work Data

Basic Information

Title: Bather

Sculptor (male)

Alexander Archipenko

Period Produced

20th century

Object Type

sculpture

Physical Description: Wire, papier-mâché and plaster

Material

Technique

polychromy

Property and Acquisition

Institution

Städel Museum

Departement

Modern Art 1800–1945

Collection

Städelsches Kunstinstitut

Creditline: Städel Museum, Frankfurt am Main, Eigentum des Städelschen Museums-Vereins e.V.

Picture Copyright: © VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn 2024

Acquisition: Acquired in 1987 with support from Ernst von Siemens-Kunstfonds and donations from Johanna Quandt, Hoechst AG et. al., property of Städelscher Museums-Verein e.V.