Woman with a Towel
Original title: Woman with a Towel
kurzbeschreibung
Edgar Degas made this pastel in 1894 or 1898, showing a woman drying herself with a white towel. The sheet is pastel on cream-colored wove paper with red and blue fibers running through it, and it measures 95.9 x 76.2 cm. This intimate glimpse of an everyday moment is typical of Degas's late work.
Description
A woman with red hair tied back appears with her gaze lowered, holding the white towel in her hand. Warm yellows and blues in the background contrast with the bright fabric and her skin. Pastel strokes leave fine lines and hatching that make the texture of the paper as palpable as the movement of the towel. The layout strips away any accessories and focuses entirely on the figure and her action.
Context
During this period, Degas returned repeatedly to the theme of personal hygiene, often in unposed, private moments. As his eyesight failed, he turned mainly to pastel, which seemed better suited to his late works. The uncertain dating between 1894 and 1898 suggests a longer period of revision. Degas did not show such sheets publicly; they mostly remained in the studio.
Impact
The absence of narrative detail and the woman's lowered gaze create a quiet, familiar mood. By contrasting the warm background with the bright towel, the central action comes to the fore and gains a sensual presence. The visible texture of the pastel makes the image feel immediate and alive.
Technique
Degas used cream-colored wove paper with red and blue fibers as his support, applying pastel to it. Fine lines and shading let the texture of the paper show through. He built up color in several layers, incorporating the paper's tone into the design—a hallmark of his late pastels.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)