The Swimmers

Gertrude Hermes 1901 - 1983

Summary

In this print three male figures are depicted swimming in the sea. They all appear to be nude and have muscular forms that are emphasised through the different positions they hold as they swim. This is particularly true of the central figure in the middle ground who is depicted with his right arm and leg extended and his left arm and leg bent with his body twisting so that he faces the viewer. The other two men are set slightly further back and they hold less contorted positions as there limbs are more extended; the figure to the right lifts his head out of the water, whilst the man on the left appears to be doing front crawl with his head down and his left arm stretched out over his head. Apart from the figures the whole scene is of water and it is rendered using three main tones, black, grey and white. The movement and strength of the water is then depicted through the diverse, fluid, curving nature of the forms, the swirling line-work and the dappled effect used in some places.