Poelenburch, Cornelis van – Badende meisjes, 1646 Rijksmuseum: part 1

The composition presents a secluded natural setting – a pool or small lake nestled within dense foliage. Several female figures occupy the foreground, engaged in activities associated with bathing and leisure. The scene is bathed in soft, diffused light, contributing to a sense of tranquility and intimacy.
On the left side, one figure raises an arm towards the sky, her posture suggesting either surprise, joy, or perhaps a gesture of invocation. She sits on a rocky outcrop, partially draped in fabric that appears discarded. Adjacent to her stands another woman, her hand outstretched as if offering something or gesturing toward the water. A third female figure is immersed in the pool, while a fourth, smaller figure – likely a child – is positioned on a submerged rock further out in the water, appearing to observe the others.
The artist’s handling of light and shadow creates a subtle atmospheric perspective, blurring the details of the background landscape. The foliage surrounding the pool is rendered with a loose brushstroke, suggesting an abundance of natural growth. A distant horizon line reveals rolling hills under a pale sky, providing depth to the composition.
Beyond the immediate depiction of bathing women, the painting hints at underlying themes. The secluded location and the figures’ relaxed postures suggest a private moment, removed from public view. The presence of the child introduces an element of innocence and continuity. The gesture of the woman on the left could be interpreted as a connection to nature or a divine presence.
The overall effect is one of idealized beauty and pastoral serenity, characteristic of genre scenes popular in the mid-17th century. While seemingly straightforward, the work invites contemplation about themes of femininity, leisure, and humanity’s relationship with the natural world.