In Front of the Mirror by Degas

This splendid pastel on paper belongs fully to the impressionist movement and illustrates one of the artist’s favorite themes. Titled “In Front of the Mirror”, this intimate work by Degas Edgar invites us to observe the secrets of the female toilette. Seizing a simple gesture of modern life, the creator departs from theatrical conventions to favor the authenticity and mystery of a suspended moment.

The tight framing shows a three-quarter back view of a red-haired young woman adjusting her hat in front of a dressing table. Wearing a delicate white chemise, she raises her hands toward her hair under a hat adorned with a wide purple ribbon. On the wooden table in front of her rest a bottle, two hairbrushes, a comb, and a brown hairpiece. The mirror reflects a hazy, indistinct image of her torso, enhancing the feeling of secrecy in the room. The blue and beige background of the room envelops the subject in a soft, subdued light that delicately sculpts her bare shoulders.

The painter’s exceptional mastery of pastel is expressed through vigorous hatching and layering of colorful pigments. The subtle interplay of transparency conveys the warmth of the skin and the velvety texture of fabrics with an absolutely masterful and delicate craftsmanship.