Woman Washing Her Left Leg (Second State)
Original title: Woman Washing Her Left Leg (Second State)
kurzbeschreibung
A woman bends to clean her left leg with a cloth in Edgar Degas's bronze statue "Woman Washing Her Left Leg (Second State)." The model was likely made around 1883–86 or later, and the cast dates to 1920. This intimate action is a typical example of Degas's late work.
Description
Leaning over a large, greenish-tinged basin, the woman wipes her left leg with a cloth. Her body tilts forward, her gaze lowered. A small dog sits nearby, also facing forward. Dark brown and green tones define the bronze's patina. Even light picks out contours and surface textures. The background remains bare, pushing the figures and vessel into the foreground.
Context
Toward the end of his life, Degas turned increasingly to sculpture. This statue belongs to a series of small bronzes that take up everyday tasks such as washing and drying. The dating of the modeling is uncertain and is estimated at about 1883–86 or later. The bronze was cast posthumously in 1920, after Degas's death in 1917. Realism with a touch of pathos marks his late works.
Impact
The direct, unembellished pose and the intimate action move the viewer. Earthy patina tones give the bronze a warm, organic presence. The dog adds a quiet narrative layer and enlivens the scene.
Technique
It was cast in bronze—a material that preserves fine details and is durable. The surface carries a patina from chemical processes that produce brown and green tones. Presumably the model was first made in wax before the bronze cast followed.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)