This is a drawing of a simplified human form amidst abstract shapes. The drawing features a minimalist representation of a body, sketched with fluid black lines, depicting the back of a figure. The figure is set against a backdrop of geometrically abstract elements, including a prominent triangle in the upper left corner and a curved form in the lower right. These abstract shapes are accented with dabs of blue color. The use of minimal lines suggests form while allowing broad interpretation. The strategic use of blue provides an aesthetic contrast to the monochrome sketching.
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This is a drawing of a simplified human form amidst abstract shapes. The drawing features a minimalist representation of a body, sketched with fluid black lines, depicting the back of a figure. The figure is set against a backdrop of geometrically abstract elements, including a prominent triangle in the upper left corner and a curved form in the lower right. These abstract shapes are accented with dabs of blue color. The use of minimal lines suggests form while allowing broad interpretation. The strategic use of blue provides an aesthetic contrast to the monochrome sketching.

National Gallery of Art · Drawing

Bather on the Beach

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner

Date
1912/1913
Medium
black crayon with blue and gray wash
Dimensions
overall: 43.4 x 31.8 cm (17 1/16 x 12 1/2 in.)
Classification
Drawing
Accession number
1983.6.1
Credit line
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Kainen in honor of Charles Parkhurst
Time span
1901 to 1925
Department
CG-W

Subjects and terms

  • amusement
  • genre
  • German
  • Bathing
Provenance

Kirchner estate (Lugt 1570b, annotated: A Be/Bf 6). (Roman Norbert Ketterer, Lugano); Ruth Kainen, purchased October 31, 1979; gift to NGA, 1983.

Inscription

lower right in crayon: EL Kirchner

NGA object ID 61455. 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.