Nude Woman Pulling on Her Clothes (1885) by Edgar Degas

Nude Woman Pulling on Her Clothes - Edgar Degas - 1885

Artwork Information

TitleNude Woman Pulling on Her Clothes
ArtistEdgar Degas
Date1885
Mediumpastel
Art MovementImpressionism

About Nude Woman Pulling on Her Clothes

The artwork titled “Nude Woman Pulling on Her Clothes” is a pastel creation by the artist Edgar Degas, dating back to the year 1885. This piece is a representation of the Impressionism art movement and falls under the genre of nude painting (nu). As an Impressionist, Degas was part of a revolutionary movement that defied traditional artistic canons and sought to capture the transient effects of light and color.

The artwork presents a singular perspective of a nude female figure seen from behind as she appears to be reaching down to pull up or adjust a garment which is not visible in the frame. The composition skillfully captures the muscular tension and curvature of the human form, with a particular focus on the roundness of the hips and the softness of skin. The woman is set against a background with natural elements, possibly indicative of an outdoor setting. Degas utilizes a vibrant palette, employing grassy greens, sky blues, and earthy browns alongside the flesh tones that characterize the woman’s body. The pastel medium has allowed Degas to blend colors with subtlety and softness, giving the work an ethereal and tactile quality that is emblematic of Impressionist sensibilities.

Interestingly, the piece does not indulge in the detailed depiction of facial features, as the figure is seen with her back turned, creating a sense of anonymity and universality. Degas’ technique emphasizes the play of light and shadow on the body, and the overall effect is both intimate and detached, providing the viewer with a moment frozen in time, characteristic of the Impressionist intent to capture fleeting moments. The loose and expressive nature of the strokes implies a sense of immediacy and spontaneity, contributing to the overall impression of movement and life within the static medium.

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