The Bather, 1808

Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres (1780 - 1867), whose most iconic image is 'The Bather', was determined to uphold and defend Classical painting in France - which lead him to fight with the Parisian art establishment as it chased the new and exciting Romantic style. Ingres did not like this stormy, restless new style that captured movement and drama. By contrast he took care to conceal his brushstrokes, lest they disturb the tranquility of his paintings or remind the viewer of the labour that had gone into them.

The prints in this collection show lounging women, luxuriating and bathing themselves. Their impossibly long, smooth backs and their unruffled demeanor add to the escapist quality of these paintings; windows into a world of clean, soft luxury.