The Great Bath of Bursa, created in 1885 by Jean-Léon Gérôme, a reputed French painter and sculptor, depicting the scene of a Turkish bathhouse or hammam, in the city of Bursa, is a classic example of 19th-century Orientalist art.

A hammam is a bathing ritual that involves steam, heat, and massage, and is often regarded as a social activity in Turkish culture, a place of social gathering, relaxation, and ritual cleansing, which originated in the Ottoman Empire. Renowned for his detailed and precise works, Gérôme captured the exotic and mysterious aspects of a hammam in his painting through his artistic lens, portraying a group of women, both naked and draped in light fabrics, lounging in the warm, steamy atmosphere of a Turkish bathhouse, or hammam, in the city of Bursa in Turkey.

In the painting, titled The Great Bath of Bursa, Jean-Léon Gérôme masterfully encapsulated the vibrant and steamy atmosphere of the bathhouse, showcasing a group of relaxing nude and semi-nude women, interacting themselves casually, while their casual expressions and postures reflects the relaxed and social nature of the setting in a communal space.

In the canvas, the artist also took care of the architectural details of the space, which include the arches and tiled floors, along with the play of light streaming through the high windows of the classical bathhouse, creating a a warm, glowing effect and a sense of calm and peaceful elegance. The figures of the relaxing women are also arranged in a harmonious and melodic composition, guiding the viewer's eye across the cool and luxurious interior of the bathhouse.

However, the Great Bath of Bursa, offering a glimpse into the daily life of Ottoman society, with its focus on the relaxing nude women in the luxurious setting of a bathhouse, with natural light filtering through the windows, creating a warm, glowing effect, is not just a documentation of the Turkish culture. It also exemplifies Gérôme’s skill in blending the detailed realism with the romanticised vision of the Orient, reflecting the 19th-century European fascination with the Exotic East.

The painting, significant for its technical brilliance, and reflecting the cultural and artistic attitudes of the 19th century through a Western perspective, is regarded as one of the notable works of Gérôme for its beauty and historical significance. Originally displayed at the 1885 Paris Salon, it was subsequently exhibited in several collections, including the Hermitage Museum, a museum of art and culture in Saint Petersburg, Russia.