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This is a painting of two abstract figures in a vibrant landscape. The image shows two stylized, nude figures in an abstract form against a dark blue background. The background is blue with black brushstrokes hinting at foliage. The ground is green. One figure is bending forward, while the other is seated with their back turned. The artwork features strong contrasting colors, simplified shapes, and focuses on body language. The style is reminiscent of Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, known for vivid colors, dynamic compositions, and expressive forms.
Read the visual description

This is a painting of two abstract figures in a vibrant landscape. The image shows two stylized, nude figures in an abstract form against a dark blue background. The background is blue with black brushstrokes hinting at foliage. The ground is green. One figure is bending forward, while the other is seated with their back turned. The artwork features strong contrasting colors, simplified shapes, and focuses on body language. The style is reminiscent of Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, known for vivid colors, dynamic compositions, and expressive forms.

National Gallery of Art · Print

Bathing Couple

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner

Date
1910
Medium
color woodcut printed in black, blue, green, and red on blotting paper
Dimensions
image: 20.5 x 30.5 cm (8 1/16 x 12 in.) sheet: 25 x 35.4 cm (9 13/16 x 13 15/16 in.)
Classification
Print
Accession number
2012.92.135
Credit line
Gift of Ruth Cole Kainen
Time span
1901 to 1925
Department
CG-W
Original NGA record Wikidata

Subjects and terms

  • Seated figure
  • Woman
  • Nude
  • Water
  • Man
Provenance

Unverkäuflich (shaved off) E.L. Kirchner (described in L.1570a-d). (Kunsthaus Lempertz, Cologne, June 12, 1984, lot 368); (via Wolfgang Wittrock Kunsthandel, Düsseldorf); Ruth Kainen, Washington, D.C.; gift to NGA, 2012.

Inscription

lower right by later hand (Erna Kirchner, see Dube v.1, p.9) in graphite: EL Kirchner; bottom left verso by later hand in brown ink: KFH 23; lower right verso by later hand in blue pencil: 127

NGA object ID 152785. Collection metadata is reproduced under CC0. This work is included because its NGA published-image record is marked open access; visitors should recheck the source record before substantial reuse.