The artwork “Bather by the Water” is a creation of the distinguished artist Edgar Degas, dated circa 1903. Executed in the medium of pastel, the piece is an exemplar of the Impressionist movement, which Degas was notably associated with. Classified within the genre of nude painting (nu), the artwork is currently held in a private collection, placing it beyond the immediate public gaze.
“Bather by the Water” showcases the soft and textured application of pastel, revealing the form of a solitary female nude. The bather is depicted in an outdoor setting, as suggested by the presence of a body of water and the foliage around her, immersing the viewer in a serene, naturalistic environment. The figure’s posture, capturing a moment of intimate personal care, is rendered with a sensitivity typical of Degas’ approach to the human form. The artist’s skillful manipulation of light and color imbues the scene with a sense of atmosphere and immediacy that is characteristic of Impressionist works, thus fulfilling the genre’s aim to reflect the transient effects of light and the feeling of the moment.
