The artwork “Seated Bather,” created by the distinguished artist Edgar Degas in the year 1899, is a pastel on paper that embodies the essence of the Impressionist movement. Measuring 51 by 51 cm, the piece fits within the genre of nude painting (nu) and is currently held in a private collection.
The artwork portrays an intimate moment of a female bather who appears to be seated. Her body is rendered with broad, gestural strokes, showcasing Degas’s masterful handling of pastel to create depth and form. The color palette is diverse, with warm tones that illuminate the figure and rich, contrasting hues that fill the background, adding to the impression of a lived moment. The composition invites the viewer to focus on the curvature of the bather’s back and the delicate play of light across her skin, while her face is turned away, granting her a sense of privacy and introspection. The background elements are abstracted, with the colors and textures working to enhance the sensation of warmth and the tactile quality of the medium. Degas’s technique captures the spontaneity and ephemeral nature of the scene, characteristics that are emblematic of the Impressionist movement.
