Bathers with a Turtle

"Bathers with a Turtle" by Henri Matisse (1907–1908) is a vibrant canvas that exemplifies his transition towards Expressionism and bold use of oil paints. Depicting a lively genre painting of bathers, the work captures dynamic figures immersed in water, emphasizing color and form over realistic detail. Acquired by Karl Ernst Osthaus and later sheltered from Nazi censorship, the painting was sold in the 1939 Degenerate Art auction in Switzerland. Purchased by Joseph Pulitzer Jr., it was eventually donated to the Saint Louis Art Museum, enriching its collection of modern art.