MODULE 1 - CASE

Module 1 - Case

Francois Clouet's woman in Her Bath

Introduction

Over the past 1000 years, painters have produced a widely varied body of work in the genre of art that reflects artistic traditions, modern techniques, race consciousness, and an understanding of humanity in general. The most intriguing decorating by François that has endured is ostensibly a genre view, woman in Her bathing tub (perhaps painted ca. 1550). It features in outspoken fashion a half-length (National Gallery of Art: The Collection, 2008), bejeweled nude lady seated in her "bath" before a still life of assorted fruits. directly behind her are a lad who comes to for the crop and a nursemaid who suckles a baby swaddled in the Italian fashion.

Drapes are drawn to disclose, in a manneristic plunge into deep space, a kitchen maid at a fireplace in an dignified room and, adjacent her, a pictorial representation of a unicorn, the fabled beast that symbolized virginity. rather probably the lady represented is Diane de Poitiers, famous mistress of Henry II. The beautifully rendered nude torso was certainly derived from the undraped type of Leonardo's Mona Lisa (now lost), but the primary inspiration of the composition was taken from up to date Flemish interior genre scenes, such as those by Pieter Aertsen, which often have symbolic overtones that are obscure in meaning.

Analysis

A number of bathing portraits depicting courtesans and mistresses of kings have endured from Renaissance France. although, the coolly dignified characteristics of this woman make it unrealistic to recognise her. In the past she has been linked with Diane de Poitiers, mistress of Henry II, but that identification has now been directed out. It may be that she is meant to comprise an perfect of beauty rather than an genuine person.

Her represent is founded on the Mona Lisa, which Leonardo ...