Woman Bathing in a Shallow Tub by Degas

Seizing the intimate truth of the female body in the privacy of the boudoir, this remarkable work by Degas Edgar, associated with the Impressionist movement, stands under the title of “Woman Bathing in a Shallow Tub” among his nudes. The artist moves away from idealized academic poses to explore the natural plasticity of his model during her daily wash. This composition is part of his constant quest to capture the immediacy of a daily gesture with a sincere and uncompromising realism.

The entirely naked bather is depicted standing in a high-angle view in the center of the painting, her torso bent deeply forward to form a supple and graceful curve. She stands inside a large circular cobalt-blue metal tub placed on the floor. Her head is turned towards the left of the composition, her dark hair falling downwards as she is standing and is diligently, carefully and deeply washing her leg and foot. Behind her, a large white sheet with soft blue reflections is draped, while the left wall displays a warm, highly luminous and beautiful yellow-ochre tone.

This work bears witness to the painter’s dazzling technical virtuosity in his modern treatment of pastels. The artist deploys overlapping strokes and subtle plays of shadows to model the forms of the flesh and translate the materiality of water and fabrics with masterly craftsmanship.