A Pastel, The Bather, By Fernand Fau

Fernand Fau,(1858-1925)
is a French painter, illustrator and caricaturist.He worked for many major newspapers of caricature of his time, as the Laugh. He signed his work sometimes under the pseudonyms of Fô or Phô


During his career, he collaborates in particular for the decorations of one of the greatest Parisian cabarets: the Black Cat.There he created the shadow theater for Une Affaire d'honneur by Jules Jouy, and then in 1890, composed Idylle, a one-act revue written with Charles de Sivry.

Our pastel is a very typical representation of a part of his production.Fernand Fau, likes to paint naked women and also water and its reflections.
This charming pastel is very influenced by Japanese art.The opening of Japan to the outside world allowed Westerners to bring back many pieces that seduced and inspired artists.
In particular the prints.Toilet scenes, in an intimate and bucolic setting, are part of many Japanese pictorial works.The tree drawn by Fau, the winding of its branches, their reflections in the water find their source in Japanese prints.