“Woman at Her Toilette” is an artwork by Edgar Degas, created around 1892. Executed in pastel, a medium for which Degas is renowned, this piece belongs to the Impressionist art movement. The painting measures 63 x 48 cm and falls under the genre of nude painting (nu). Currently, it is held in a private collection.
This artwork features an intimate scene of a female figure attending to her personal grooming, which is a recurring theme in Degas’s body of work. The woman is bent over a basin, and her posture and the act of washing or bathing are captured with loose yet deliberate strokes. The composition is characterized by the use of vibrant colors and the distinct smudging and blending of the pastel medium, traits that contribute to the sense of immediacy and the fleeting moments typical of Impressionist art. The background is abstract, with color patches suggesting a partition or wall, allowing the focus to remain on the figure and her actions. The contrast between the soft textures of the skin tones and the rich environment indicates Degas’s skill in using color and light to convey form and atmosphere. This piece is a testament to Degas’s exploration of everyday life and his penchant for capturing the natural movements of the human body.
