Bathsheba at her Bath is considered as Rembrandt’s greatest painting of the nude.
This composition is so profound yet rich in emotions that manage to evoke notions of seduction, admiration, and mystery. The moment of illustration is so pivotal, because it unfolds nuances of feminism, where the female nude body is not only seen as a gaze of admiration, but rather more as fragile instrument that explores the emotional dilemmas that many other artist of the time have left unexplored.
The mystery and the curiosity that this painting presents, is due to the great choice of colors, which help the viewer to focus on a deeper level by noticing a nostalgic, sad, yet intimate scenario. What is supposed to be viewed as relaxing and invigorating momentum, its portrayed as a sadly thoughtful, and unsettling situation in which Bathsheba leaning her head over her left shoulder, seems unable to cope with the moral dilemma posed by King David’s letter that she is holding on her hand.
Even though Bathsheba’s body dominates the composition, it almost seems that Rembrandt wants us to rather focus on the peculiar face expression she reveals.
The brilliancy of this work does not necessarily rely on the physical precision of this composition’s portrait but rather on the mystery of her gaze and emotions underlined by her overall expression.