Ruth Bernhard Print | In the Waves (1945) Figure Photography Fine Art Wall Art
This Ruth Bernhard print submerges a figure in ocean waves in 1945 — the body half-dissolved in white water, the composition finding geometry and grace in pure motion and light.
Figure photography print work at its most elemental: black and white nude art that avoids the clinical and finds the lyrical instead, with the fine art photography discipline Bernhard applied to everything she made.
Available on 200 GSM museum-grade matte paper, seven sizes 9×11″ to 24×36″ — frame-ready. Digital download $3.90 (300 DPI, PDF/JPG). This ocean figure print suits a bedroom, bathroom, or art-focused living space.
What You will Receive
- Made to order, museum-grade art print. Frame not included unless stated.
- Printed on 200 GSM premium matte paper for crisp detail and zero glare.
- Archival giclée inks that resist fading for decades.
- Multiple size options. Use the selector above.
- Protective packaging: rigid mailer or sturdy tube.
Print Quality
Every print is produced using state-of-the-art giclée technology on heavyweight 200 GSM matte paper. The non-reflective surface eliminates glare while the archival pigment inks deliver rich, accurate colours designed to last a lifetime.
Size Guide
For walls above furniture, choose a print roughly two thirds to three quarters the width of the piece below it. Smaller sizes up to 11x14 inches suit gallery walls. Larger formats of 18x24 inches and above create striking focal points.
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Shipping
Every order is printed on demand. Processing takes 3 to 5 business days, then ships free worldwide with tracking.
| Region | Processing | Delivery | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| USA | 3 to 5 days | 2 to 6 days | 5 to 11 days |
| Canada | 3 to 5 days | 5 to 10 days | 8 to 15 days |
| UK and Europe | 3 to 5 days | 5 to 10 days | 8 to 15 days |
| Australia and NZ | 3 to 5 days | 8 to 15 days | 11 to 20 days |
| Asia | 3 to 5 days | 7 to 15 days | 10 to 20 days |
| Rest of world | 3 to 5 days | 10 to 20 days | 13 to 25 days |
📦 Packaging
Prints up to 12x18 inches ship flat in rigid cardboard mailers with backing board. Larger prints are rolled in sturdy tubes with protective end caps. Every package includes moisture barriers and Handle With Care labels.
Returns and Replacements
- 30 day return window from delivery. No questions asked.
- Report damage within 48 hours with photos for a free replacement.
- Full refunds for eligible returns in original condition.
- Cancel before production starts for a complete refund.
- Return shipping covered for defective or incorrect items.
Need help? info.merchfuse@gmail.com
How to Care for Your Print
Follow these steps to keep your print looking gallery fresh for decades.
Handling
Allow rolled prints to relax flat for 30 to 60 minutes. Handle by the edges with clean, dry hands and avoid touching the printed surface.
Placement
Avoid direct sunlight, heat sources and high humidity areas. North facing walls receive less UV. Use LED or incandescent lighting instead of fluorescent.
Framing
Use acid free mats and UV protective glass or acrylic for maximum longevity. Leave a small gap between print and glazing for airflow.
Cleaning
Dust framed glass with a soft cloth. Spray the cloth, not the glass. For unframed prints, use a dry microfibre cloth and never apply liquids to the surface.
Climate
Keep temperature at 18 to 24 degrees C and humidity at 40 to 60 percent. Avoid attics, basements and garages where conditions swing widely.
Storage
Store flat in acid free folders, interleaved with tissue paper, in a cool dark place. Never fold. Check stored prints annually.
⚠️ Avoid
- Prolonged direct sunlight or fluorescent lighting.
- Bathrooms, kitchens and areas above heat sources.
- Tape, adhesives or liquids applied directly to the print.
- Rolling with the image facing inward as this can crack the ink layer.
- Extreme or rapid temperature and humidity changes.
📊 Expected Lifespan
- 100+ years when framed with UV protective glazing and indirect light.
- 50 to 75 years when framed with standard glass and indirect light.
- 25 to 50 years when stored correctly in darkness.
This Ruth Bernhard print immerses a figure in surf — the body present but partially dissolved in the white foam and moving water of the Pacific. Made in 1945, it belongs to the figure photography print work that forms the core of Bernhard’s legacy. She approached the human body the way she approached leaves and shells: with formal attention to shape, light, and the relationship between subject and ground. This Ruth Bernhard print shows that approach fully realized.
As black and white nude art, this image operates with restraint and rigor. There’s no theatricality — just a body, water, and Bernhard’s precise exposure capturing the tonal complexity of wave and skin simultaneously. Fine art photography that doesn’t perform.
About This Ruth Bernhard Print
- Design & vibe: High-key monochrome — white foam, delicate skin tones, the dark suggestion of water beneath. This ocean figure print has a lyrical, almost abstract quality at distance that resolves into a composed figure study up close. Black and white nude art with the formal discipline of fine art photography — and the intimacy of figure photography print work made with genuine care.
- Print quality: 200 GSM museum-grade matte paper, fade-resistant archival inks. Precise highlight control, clean shadow separation.
- Sizes: 9×11″ to 24×36″, all frame-ready. Digital download $3.90 (300 DPI, PDF/JPG).
- Great gift for: Fine art photography collectors and admirers of black and white nude art and figure photography print work from the mid-century tradition.
Where to Hang This Fine Art Photography Print
The high-key palette and lyrical composition of this Ruth Bernhard print work in a bedroom, bathroom, or art-forward living room. As fine art photography it pairs with other figure photography print or ocean figure print selections. This black and white nude art piece suits any clean-walled adult space where the formal quality of the image can register fully.
More from MerchFuse
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Print & Material Details
200 GSM museum-grade matte paper, fade-resistant archival inks, seven standard frame-ready sizes.
Prefer digital? Download a 300 DPI PDF/JPG for $3.90.
Fan-inspired artwork. Not affiliated with, endorsed by, or licensed by any rights holder.











