The artwork titled “After the Bath, Woman Drying Her Hair” is a creation of the renowned artist Edgar Degas, dating circa 1903. This piece is executed in pastel and is associated with the Impressionist movement. It depicts the genre of nude painting (nu) and currently resides in a private collection.
The artwork reflects an intimate moment of a woman engaged in the act of drying her hair. The figure is rendered with loose and expressive strokes that characterize Degas’s approach to pastels, showcasing his adept handling of color and light. The background is infused with fiery orange and golden tones, creating a warm atmosphere that contrasts with the cooler blue and white hues used for the basin and cloth, likely indicating water and a towel or robe. The woman’s pose is naturalistic, suggesting movement and the candidness of the moment caught, away from the formalities of posed portraiture. Degas’s interest in the human form and his ability to capture the spontaneity of everyday life are exemplified in this striking and sensuous composition.