The artwork titled “Woman seated on the edge of a bath sponging her neck” is a creation of the artist Edgar Degas that dates to circa 1895. It is associated with the Neoclassicism and Realism art movements and belongs to the figurative genre. The artwork depicts an intimate moment of daily life, illustrating the private ritual of a woman attending to her personal hygiene.
In the artwork, we observe a woman captured in a moment of quiet self-care, seated nude on the edge of a bath. She is shown from behind, with her back to the viewer, reinforcing the sense of privacy and introspection. Her right arm is gracefully bent behind her head as she sponges her neck, an action which suggests movement and emphasizes the natural curvature of her spine. The figure is rendered with delicate, loose brushstrokes that evoke the softness of skin and the tactile quality of the sponge and water.
The color palette consists of soft earth tones, accented with rich, darker shades that contour the woman’s body, defining her form within the space. A striking contrast is created by the teal hues that suggest the presence of water and add vibrancy to the composition. Degas’s employment of light and shadow is subtle yet adept, further enhancing the volumetric and sensory qualities of the scene.
Degas is known for capturing candid moments in the lives of women, often focusing on dancers, bathers, and other ordinary activities. This piece is exemplary of his interest in these subjects and his ability to portray them with both realism and sensitivity.
