Women of Color Bathing and a Voyeur [Mulatresses and Negro Woman Bathing]

Agostino Brunias

Created:
Movement:
unknown
None
key Notes:
Colonial intimacy, racial dynamics.
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Dimensions:
medium:
Oil on canvas
story of the work:

"Woman of Color Bathing and a Voyeur [Mulatresses and Negro Woman Bathing]" is an 18th-century painting by Agostino Brunias, an Italian artist known for his depictions of Caribbean life and the complexities of race and identity in colonial societies. The work illustrates the social dynamics of the time, highlighting the presence of women of African descent in a domestic setting while simultaneously addressing themes of voyeurism and the colonial gaze.

Description of the work:

"Women of Color Bathing and a Voyeur [Mulatresses and Negro Woman Bathing]" by Agostino Brunias depicts a serene outdoor scene featuring women of African descent engaged in bathing, characterized by their vibrant attire and the lush tropical setting. The composition is notable for its intricate detailing, use of light and shadow, and the juxtaposition of the figures with a voyeuristic male observer, which invites a complex interplay of gaze and social dynamics within the colonial context.

Artwork Photograph Source:
Harvard Art Museum

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Women of Color Bathing and a Voyeur [Mulatresses and Negro Woman Bathing]