Women Combing Their Hair by Degas

Painted in the heart of a sunny countryside, this original work by Degas Edgar, associated with the Realist movement, stands under the title of “Women Combing Their Hair” within his repertoire. The artist explores the rhythmic repetition of a daily gesture through the attitudes of three different models. This composition perfectly illustrates his desire to combine realistic poses with an attentive observation of ordinary life, revealing natural grace.

Three young women with long brown hair are busy in a vast ochre meadow under a soft afternoon light. On the left of the image, a first woman in a long white dress stands in profile towards the right, combing her hair. In the center, a second companion seated from behind bends forward, her two arms raised above her head to comb her long dark hair. On the right, a third woman seated facing forward leans forward, holding her long hair cascading over her knees in a graceful way. The background shows a light beige field bordered by green trees under a soft, quiet sky.

This work demonstrates the painter’s exceptional pictorial skill in the treatment of natural light and textures. The artist uses a supple touch and highly refined color contrasts to structure the space and breathe a soft serenity into this beautiful outdoor scene.