The artwork titled “Woman Combing Her Hair” is a creation of the prominent artist Edgar Degas, dating back to circa 1894. It is executed using oil on canvas and embodies characteristics of the Impressionist movement. This piece falls within the genre of portraiture and exhibits Degas’ fascination with the delicacy of human form and the intimate moments of daily life.
The artwork captures an intimate and informal moment, featuring a woman tending to her hair. The figure is portrayed from a slightly elevated and unconventional angle, suggesting a candid or voyeuristic glimpse into her private activity. Degas’ use of loose brushstrokes and a rich palette teeters on abstraction while forming a vivid embodiment of the woman’s form and movement.
The palette is mostly warm, with hints of cool tones subtly counterbalancing the warmth, highlighting the tactile quality of the hair and the surroundings. The composition is candid and avoids idealization, focusing on the natural beauty in the routine act of combing hair. Degas’ approach to this subject is free-form, impressionistic, and personal, providing insight into his mastery of capturing the ephemeral and everyday with sensitivity and a sense of immediacy.
