The Large Bathers: Picasso Vs. Matisse

French painter, Paul Cezanne, was a very large influence on art and artists during and after his time. He went through many different styles of Expressionism and inspired many artists. One painting that he is especially known for was created later in his life. It is called The Large Bathers, and the title reflects the work of art, since it is of women who are bathing that look large. (“Bathers”, 2015) One can argue that Picasso and Matisse took this concept and made their own works that both reflect the work by Cezanne and also veer away from it. Both Picasso and Matisse made similar work but put their own ideas into the work. The art styles and forms represent this. First we should examine The Large Bathers more closely. It is less erotic …show more content…
Or it may just be an idealized harem. The first thing that strikes the eye is the vivid hues. It has the colors of autumn (red, yellow, orange, and some green). Unlike The Large Bathers, it does not look like anyone is bathing, except maybe sunbathing. There are at least 14 naked women in the painting and one man, who appears to be making out with one of the women. Several of the women are in very uncomfortable-looking poses that are supposed to force sexuality, but no woman actually relaxes like that. Also, the women all look very happy and joyful. With the eroticism that is fully transparent in the painting and the one male form, it looks like a very happy harem that is hanging out outside in the grass. There is even a ring of naked women dancing in the background. The style that ties this painting to Cezanne’s work is that the women have very few details and are formed somewhat primitively, with unnatural lines that make them look really lumpy in strange places. Picasso would copy this primitive style and take it even further to the extreme with his …show more content…
The lack of details in his forms felt natural. Henri Matisse transformed this idea into an erotic dream world for men. He removed all practicality from the content but retained the large brushstrokes and lack of tiny details that give realism to works of art. Picasso also made a harem-style painting, but put the practicality back in and featured prostitutes. He also kept out the small details and instead focused on the “big picture”, that sex with prostitutes is dirty and possibly dangerous. The three pieces almost come full-circle. From natural practicality, to dreamy sexuality, to practical and abstract sexuality. The artists appear to feed off of the artist that comes before them, but insert their own ideas into the