Drawings for Paintings in the Work of Frédéric Bazille
Frédéric Bazille produced relatively few drawings during his brief career, the majority of which are contained in a pair of sketchbooks. Although the earlier sketchbook, which was begun perhaps as early as 1863, is filled with doodles and impromptu sketches, the later one contains almost exclusively studies for his paintings, both those he completed and those he planned but never realized. These drawings provide valuable insights into Bazille’s working method and allow the viewer to trace the evolution of some of the artist’s most important compositions from conception to translation to canvas.
Note: All drawings illustrated are from Frédéric Bazille, Album of drawings, c. 1867–1870, Musée d'Orsay, Paris, gift of Marc Bazille, 1921. Photos: © RMN-Grand Palais/Tony Querrec
Frédéric Bazille, View of the Village, 1868, oil on canvas, Musée Fabre, Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole. Photo: Frédéric Jaulmes
Folio 52 verso
Folio 53 recto
Folio 54 verso
Frédéric Bazille, The Western Ramparts at Aigues Mortes, 1867, oil on canvas, National Gallery of Art, Washington, Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Mellon
Folio 27 recto
Folio 31 recto
Frédéric Bazille, The Ramparts at Aigues Mortes, 1867, oil on canvas, Musée Fabre, Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole
Folio 29 verso
Frédéric Bazille, La Toilette, 1870, oil on canvas, Musée Fabre, Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole. Photo: Frédéric Jaulmes
Folio 2 recto
Frédéric Bazille, Summer Scene (Bathers), spring 1869–early winter 1870, oil on canvas, Harvard Art Museums/Fogg Museum, Cambridge, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. F. Meynier de Salinelles. Photo: Imaging Department © President and Fellows of Harvard College
Folio 37 recto
Folio 39 recto
Folio 40 recto
Frédéric Bazille, Ruth and Boaz, 1870, oil on canvas, Musée Fabre, Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole. Photo: Frédéric Jaulmes
Folio 50 verso