The artwork, titled “Ruby, Gold and Malachite,” was created by Henry Scott Tuke in 1901. Executed in oil, this piece belongs to the Impressionism art movement and falls under the genre of nude painting (nu).
In the artwork, Tuke skillfully depicts a serene coastal scene, characterized by the clarity of water and the bright natural surroundings. Central to the piece is a small rowboat featuring several male figures, some of whom are nude, interacting harmoniously in the pristine waters. The figures are depicted in various states of activity, with one steering the boat, another seated and rowing, while others are either swimming or seated on the boat’s rim. The artist’s adept use of light and color captures the sun’s reflection on the water’s surface, creating a vivid and lively composition. The harmonious blending of ruby and gold tones with greens from the backdrop of malachite-colored water further enhances the painting’s tranquil and evocative atmosphere.
