The artwork entitled “Young Girl Braiding Her Hair” is a creation of the artist Edgar Degas, dating back to 1894. This piece was executed using pastel, a medium Degas mastered and favoured for its vibrant colors and textural possibilities. The artwork aligns with the Impressionist movement, which is known for its emphasis on light and movement as well as the depiction of modern life. Specifically, it falls under the category of genre painting, which portrays scenes of everyday life. As of my knowledge cutoff date, the artwork is housed in a private collection.
In the artwork, we observe a young girl engaged in the intimate and routine act of braiding her hair. Degas captures this moment with a delicate but deliberate use of pastels, creating a sense of softness and spontaneity that is characteristic of the Impressionist style. The subject is portrayed in profile, her body slightly turned, with her arms raised to intertwine strands of hair. The background is suggestive rather than detailed, with gentle hues and soft brushstrokes contributing to an overall impression of the setting rather than a literal representation. The application of color is rich and varied, implying a room filled with diffused, natural light that reflects off the surfaces and the girl’s white dress. The composition conveys a moment of serene concentration, imbuing the scene with a sense of tranquility and daily rhythm.
