Created by the eminent artist Edgar Degas in 1883, “The Morning Bath” is a striking artwork executed in pastel on paper. Reflecting the Impressionist movement, this painting measures 70.5 by 43.2 cm. The genre of this piece is nude painting, commonly referred to in French as “nu”. Currently, the artwork finds its home at the Art Institute of Chicago, located in Chicago, IL, USA.
In “The Morning Bath,” Degas captures an intimate moment of daily life, depicting a single figure engaging in the ritual of bathing. The subject is presented in a seemingly candid pose, her body bent forward as she dries herself with a towel. The composition highlights the natural curves and form of the human body, rendered in a soft palette that emphasizes the play of light and shadow. Degas’ expertise with pastels is reflected in the textured strokes that give vibrancy to the scene. There is a sense of immediacy and unguardedness in the portrayal, characteristic of Degas’ many studies of women in private moments. The artwork’s nuanced blend of colors and the delicate application of pastel underscore the artist’s fascination with the sensory nuances of the medium, as well as his ongoing exploration of motion and stasis within daily life.
