Woman Drying Her Foot
Original title: Woman Drying Her Foot
kurzbeschreibung
Edgar Degas made this pastel in 1885–86, showing a woman seated on a bench drying one foot with a cloth. The work is executed in pastel on buff wove paper, affixed to its original pulpboard mount.
Description
Seated on a bench or chair, the woman holds a washbasin in her left hand while her right hand guides a towel. A yellow garment peeks out beneath the seat, and her red hair falls over one shoulder. The plain background consists of a wall with patches of blue, red, and orange. Light entering from the left casts shadows on the right side of the figure and the wall. The pastel tones are soft, the strokes visible, emphasizing skin texture and fabric folds.
Context
This sheet belongs to a period when Degas was deeply engaged with the female nude and everyday actions such as washing and drying. He often arranged such scenes in his studio, where models took unposed positions. Drying a foot is part of a series of pastels on feminine hygiene. Degas showed these works in the Impressionist exhibitions, among other venues, where their unidealized treatment of private moments caused a stir.
Impact
The soft pastel light and the woman's relaxed posture make the moment feel immediate and natural. The restrained colors and calm layout create a concentrated stillness that draws the viewer into the private act.
Technique
The work is in pastel on buff wove paper, mounted on cardboard. Degas used the grainy paper texture to model skin and fabric with fine hatching and layers. Pastel chalk allowed him direct, spontaneous color with visible strokes and soft transitions.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)