Student Artwork Guide
Copyright This work is in the public domain. Charles Laval died in 1894; copyright lasts 70 years after the artist’s death, so it ended in 1964.
In context
Bathers — Charles Laval
Row above: the years. Row below: how old the artist was at the start and at the end of each span — 0 at birth, 33 at death.
Painted when the artist was 27. The artist lived to 33. 1 of the 6 dated works by this artist in our catalogue came earlier.
Shaded: the lifetime of Charles Laval (1861–1894) ▲ this work, 1888 every dated painting, decade by decade
Pick one work above: name two things it shares with this one, and one thing that's different.
More works to set beside this one: artsdot.com/en/art/similar/charles-laval-bathers-D2QLN9-en/
Measured from the image
Main colour
Gray #827556
Catalogued palette
These colours inside the artist’s whole palette Find other paintings by colour
The ten leading countries
Find the three darkest countries on the map. Is the museum that keeps this painting in any of them? Write down one reason people far away might look at it.
Together these works take 100.0% of all the attention this artist's paintings received over the last twelve months. The catalogue holds 6 works by this artist, of which 2 were looked at at least once. This painting has not been looked at yet in that time — it closes the list without a rank. The same counts, month by month
Bars measure attention, not quality. Pick the work at the top and this one: name one thing that might make a painting famous beyond how well it is painted.
Artist and museum
charles laval, a french painter, was born in paris on march 17, 1861. his life was marked by an early association with prominent artists of his time, including paul gauguin and vincent van gogh. laval's artistic journey began in the synthetic movement and the pont-aven school, a group known for its primitivist themes and synthetist style.
in 1886, laval collaborated with paul gauguin at pension gloanec in pont-aven, leading to their joint expedition to panama in search of an exoticism that could inspire art. this collaboration resulted in a series of landscapes by laval, often mistakenly attributed to gauguin.
laval's self-portrait (1888, oil on canvas, 50 × 60 cm), now at the van gogh museum in amsterdam, was part of an exchange with van gogh, who praised its power and distinction.
gauguin's still life with profile of laval (1886, at the indianapolis museum of art), is a testament to their artistic bond.
laval's work in martinique, characterized by vibrant colors, has been mistakenly attributed to gauguin in the past.
charles laval died on april 27, 1894, at the age of 32, due to complications from tuberculosis. his legacy, though overshadowed by his contemporaries, remains significant within the pont-aven school and synthetism.
view laval's artworks on AllPaintingsStore, including his self-portrait and other synthetist masterpieces.
explore the pont-aven school's primitivist themes and synthetist style on AllPaintingsStore's collection of paul gauguin, émile bernard, and other artists.
discover more about laval's life and collaborations on AllPaintingsStore's artist biographies.
key works: - self-portrait (1888, van gogh museum, amsterdam) - laval's landscapes in martinique (various collections) influences: - paul gauguin - vincent van gogh - émile bernard movement: - synthetic - pont-aven school - synthetism symbolist painting and synthetism art movement on AllPaintingsStore.
On show in Bremen, Germany
Nestled within the historic heart of Germany, the
stands as a profound testament to the enduring power of human creativity and the cultural soul of the Hansebatic city. It is not merely a repository for artifacts but a living, breathing dialogue between the past and the present. As one wanders through its halls, there is an immediate sense of being enveloped by a curated legacy that spans centuries, offering a sanctuary where the whispers of Old Masters meet the bold, provocative voices of contemporary visionaries. For the art lover, it offers a pilgrimage; for the collector, a source of deep inspiration; and for the interior designer, a masterclass in how color, texture, and form can transform a space into an emotional landscape.
The museum’s collection is a meticulously woven tapestry of European art history, characterized by its remarkable depth and scholarly rigor. Visitors are often first captivated by the exquisite mastery found in the works of the 19th century, where the delicate interplay of light and shadow evokes a sense of profound nostalgia. The galleries house significant treasures from the Impressionist and Post-Impressionist eras, allowing one to trace the evolution of perception itself. Yet, it is the museum's ability to bridge these classical foundations with the avant-garde that truly distinguishes it. The presence of modern installations and contemporary works creates a rhythmic tension, challenging the viewer to find the threads of continuity between a Renaissance portrait and a minimalist abstraction.
The architecture of the Kunsthalle Bremen serves as a majestic vessel for this artistic journey. The building itself is an architectural marvel that balances the weight of tradition with the lightness of modern design. Its structure provides a rhythmic cadence to the viewing experience, with spaces designed to manipulate natural light in ways that breathe life into the canvases they illuminate. This intentionality in space makes the museum a cornerstone for those interested in the intersection of art and environment. The way the galleries unfold—sometimes expanding into grand, airy halls and sometimes retreating into intimate, contemplative alcoves—mirrors the complexity of the human experience, making every visit feel like a new discovery.
What truly makes the Kunsthalle Bremen unique is its role as a dynamic cultural catalyst through its rotating exhibitions. The museum does not rest upon its historical laurels; instead, it constantly reinvents itself through ambitious, world-class exhibitions that bring global art movements to the shores of the Weser river. These temporary showcases often feature groundbreaking themes that explore identity, nature, and the digital frontier, ensuring that the institution remains at the cutting edge of contemporary discourse. It is this rare combination of a prestigious permanent collection and a fearless approach to new narratives that cements its status as an essential destination for anyone seeking to understand the heartbeat of modern art.
artsdot.com/en/art/download/charles-laval-bathers-D2QLN9-en/
Look closely
Bathers — Charles Laval
Answer in your own words. There are no wrong answers here — only answers you can explain.
Write a short paragraph about this artwork. Use the facts from the earlier parts of this guide, and your answers above.
"Bathers" by Charles Laval is placed in the Synthetism movement, within the 19th-Century era of its creator.
"Bathers" was made in 1888, within the Synthetism movement.
The original "Bathers" is at the Kunsthalle Bremen, and the work is in the public domain - its copyright has expired.