At the Mirror Edgar Degas (1834-1917)

The pastel drawing presents a woman engaged in a private ritual before a mirror. She is positioned at an oblique angle to the viewer, creating a sense of intimacy and voyeurism simultaneously. Her posture suggests intense concentration; her head is bowed, and she appears to be meticulously arranging her hair, pushing strands back from her face with one hand. The hat perched atop her head adds to the impression of careful presentation and attention to detail.
The mirror itself dominates the composition’s background. It reflects a partial view of the room, revealing glimpses of furniture – a chair and what appears to be a table holding decorative objects. This reflected space is rendered with less precision than the figure, contributing to an overall feeling of ambiguity regarding the settings specifics. The reflection also introduces a sense of doubling, hinting at self-scrutiny and perhaps even a fragmented identity.
The color palette is restrained, primarily utilizing warm earth tones – ochres, browns, and creams – punctuated by touches of blue in the reflected objects. This limited range contributes to the drawing’s muted atmosphere and emphasizes the figures form. The artist employed loose, expressive strokes characteristic of pastel technique, which lends a sense of immediacy and spontaneity to the work.
Beyond the surface depiction of a woman dressing, subtexts emerge concerning themes of vanity, performance, and the female gaze. The act of looking at oneself in a mirror is inherently performative; it involves assessing ones appearance for an anticipated audience. Here we see that process captured mid-action, suggesting a preoccupation with outward presentation. Furthermore, the viewer’s position – observing this private moment – raises questions about observation and representation itself. Is the woman aware of being watched? Does her behavior change in response to the possibility of scrutiny? The drawing doesnt offer definitive answers but rather invites contemplation on these complex issues surrounding identity, perception, and societal expectations placed upon women.