Young Woman Dressing Herself by Degas

Observing the female body with an uncompromising naturalism, this poetic work by Degas Edgar, associated with the Impressionist movement, stands under the title of “Young Woman Dressing Herself” within his series on the toilette. The artist chooses to place this intimate scene in a natural, rustic setting, shaking up the academic codes of the traditional nude. This composition illustrates his constant desire to capture gestures.

A young, entirely naked and beautiful woman is depicted standing from behind in the absolute center of the composition, preparing to dress with great care and elegance. She raises both her arms to drape a large white sheet with bluish reflections over her shoulders, concealing the top of her beautiful and graceful figure. Her bare buttocks and legs are visible as she stands on a dark blue sheet placed on the soft grass. To her right, a tall brown tree trunk rises vertically towards the sky. The background shows a luminous green meadow bordered by foliage under soft natural light.

This work demonstrates the artist’s incomparable craftsmanship in the use of pastel. The painter uses dense hatching and highly refined chromatic overlaps to sculpt forms and lend an almost sculptural presence to the female figure with exceptional and magnificent virtuosity.