Bather Stepping into a Tub
Original title: Bather Stepping into a Tub
kurzbeschreibung
Edgar Degas made this pastel and charcoal drawing around 1890. Titled Bather Stepping into a Tub, it measures 55.9 by 47.6 cm and is drawn on blue paper. It belongs to the artist's late works, in which he repeatedly returned to the theme of bathing.
Description
A section of a male body fills the view: the torso and one arm holding a towel dominate the foreground. The background remains abstract, rendered in warm tones that create a sense of space. Muted colours and visible pastel strokes give the sheet an expressive texture. The layout is simple — the main subject up front, a softly coloured ground behind.
Context
This work emerged during a period when Degas was deeply engaged with the bathroom as a subject, a theme that appears in numerous pastels and drawings. Degas was known for his experimental handling of materials and techniques, which is evident here as well. A male bather appears less often in his oeuvre than female figures, giving this sheet a special place.
Impact
Forceful pastel strokes meet a reduced arrangement, lending the image an immediate, almost sketch-like presence. The warm tones of the background contrast with the blue paper, creating an intimate, quiet mood. The expressive technique draws the viewer in without narrative distractions.
Technique
Pastel and charcoal were used on blue laid paper, mounted at the perimeter on a backing board. By combining both media, Degas achieved a nuanced modelling of forms and a lively surface texture. The visible strokes reveal a working method that feels spontaneous yet controlled.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)