After the Bath

Step into a quiet courtyard scene that feels almost like we have walked in on a private moment. A figure stands holding a large white towel after bathing, while another reclines on a colorful patchwork of rugs and fabrics. Scattered oranges roll across the ground and a bright parrot perches at the left edge, adding pops of life to the dusty, sun-warmed setting. The walls behind are painted with loose, sketchy strokes, giving the whole thing a feeling of warmth and stillness.

This work comes from Giovanni Boldini, an Italian painter who spent much of his career in Paris and became famous for his glamorous portraits of high society. Here he tries his hand at something different, leaning into an "Orientalist" theme that was popular in Europe at the time, when artists romanticized scenes from North Africa and the Middle East. You can still see Boldini's signature energy in the quick, confident brushwork, especially in the swirl of fabrics and the textured surfaces. It is a smaller, more intimate piece than the dazzling portraits he is best known for, but it shows his eye for color and his loose, lively touch.