亨利‧勒巴斯可（Henri Lebasque, 1865-1937）為法國十九世紀晚期的知名畫家，曾為香榭里舍歌劇院（Théâtre des Champs-Élysées）等公共建築，以及巴黎世界博覽會（Paris Exposition Universelle）創作壁畫。 勒巴斯可原受印象派與新印象派的色彩理論所影響，慣以戶外場景為題，並以堆疊的點筆觸作畫。但相較於十九世紀晚期前衛畫家們所受到的質疑與批判，勒巴斯可卻以作品中獨到的「愉悅與輕快」（joy and light）氛圍廣受各界欣賞與讚許。

與野獸派（Les Fauves）畫家成為好友的勒巴斯可，逐漸在1903年後的作品中反映出野獸派的繪畫風格。1910年完成的【浴女】即為勒巴斯可轉變畫風的一個例子。畫家以輪廓線勾勒出坐在池畔邊的裸女，同時以近似平塗手法處理背景的方式，反映出野獸派繪畫之特色。然而，以互相交錯的乾刷筆觸表現水波與倒影、細碎色點表現草叢與花簇，以及層層疊塗的筆觸表現林木等方式，都反映出勒巴斯可作品中保留的印象派筆法與重視不同物件在陽光下所呈現出的效果。本作以偏暗藍綠色為主的背景烘托出陽光下女子明亮、柔嫩的膚色，帶出陽光和煦、風和日麗的氣氛，而點綴在畫中各處的橘、黃、紅與粉紅等則為畫面增添明亮、愉悅與輕快之感。(徐鈺涵)

Henri Joseph Lebasque(1865-1937) was a renowned late 19th century Franch painter who worked on murals for public buildings such as the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées as well as for The Paris Exposition Universelle. Influenced by the color theories of Impressionism and Neo-impressionism, Lebasque often depicted subjects of outdoor scenes and utilized the techniqur of pointillism in his painting. Unlike some avant-garde painters of the late 19th century who were questioned and criticized for their works, Lebasque was able to win recognition and acclamation for the unique quality of “joy and light” in his paintings.

Having befriended painters of Les Fauves for long, Lebasque gradually reflected their style in his works after 1903. This painting, Baigneuses, which was completed in 1910, is one example of Lebasque’s transformation in style. The painter profiles in dark lines a nude woman sitting by a pool, and adopts a quasi-flat color application to deal with the background, revealing the features of Les Fauves. However, the application of mixed drybrush onto the ripples and reflection, pointillism onto bushes and flowers, and thick impasto onto woods and trees, demonstrates that Lebasque still retained Impressionist techniques, especially in the effects of the sunshine on different objects. Against a background featuring dull aquamarine blue, the women’s complexion is presented as bright and tender under the glowing sunshine in the pleasant atmosphere of a warm sunny day. Dots of orange, yellow, red, and pink are applied throughout the painting, adding a sense of joy and light, revealing Lebasques’ painting characteristics. (Yu Han HSU)