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Photography by Edward C. Robison III.

The Bathers

“Marisol” is a combination of the Spanish words for “sea” and “sun,” the nickname the artist’s mother gave her as a child. Perhaps that is why The Bathers captures a relaxing and carefree day at the beach so well. Three figures lounge against the backdrop of a bright blue sky, their body parts and attitudes an entertaining medley of round and flat surfaces.

ArtistMarisol, Venezuelan, French, American, 1930–2016
Date1961-1962
MediumPainted wood panel, graphite, plaster cast, and sculpted wood
Dimensions84 x 71 x 76 in. (213.4 x 180.3 x 193 cm)
Credit LinePromised Gift to Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville, Arkansas
ClassificationSculpture
On ViewNo
The Bathers84 × 71 in.Standard/Movie Poster40 × 27 in.

This artwork's face covers about 5.5× the area of a standard movie poster.Drawn to the same scale.