At the Milliner’s 2 by Degas

This luminous pastel on paper by the famous impressionist artist Degas Edgar captures a suspended moment of feminine complicity under the temporary title “At the Milliner’s 2”. The work belongs to the celebrated series of scenes dedicated to Parisian milliners, bearing witness to the creator’s constant interest in professional gestures and modern urban life. The shared intimacy of this scene reveals a poignant naturalism.

Two women are seated side by side in the cozy and quiet atmosphere of a shop. The first, seated in profile on a sofa with colorful and bright geometric patterns, leans solicitously toward her companion. Dressed in an elegant brown dress with a white collar and wearing long light gloves, she delicately adjusts a large yellow straw hat decorated with a blue ribbon on her friend’s head. The latter is seen from a three-quarters back view, wearing the hat in progress. In the background, a sheer white curtain near a window filters soft natural light that bathes the faces in a golden glow.

The artist shows a masterly and unquestionable command of pastel, creating exceptional color vibrations on the fabrics and furniture. His vigorous drawing perfectly captures the delicate tension of the gloved hands and the close complicity of the two female figures in this peaceful haven.