degas100 Edgar Degas (1834-1917)

The pastel drawing presents a female figure viewed from behind, engaged in a moment of apparent vulnerability and transition. She is positioned within what appears to be a natural setting – a verdant landscape dominated by yellow-green hues that suggest either intense sunlight or an artificial illumination. A slender tree trunk rises on the right side of the composition, its form rendered with loose, expressive strokes.
The woman holds a white cloth draped across her shoulders and back, partially obscuring her upper body while revealing the curve of her spine and buttocks. The posture suggests she is either emerging from or preparing to enter water; the slight bend in her knees and the forward lean imply movement. A dark, amorphous shape lies on the ground near her feet, possibly a towel or another piece of fabric, further reinforcing this sense of preparation or aftermath.
The artist’s technique contributes significantly to the works overall effect. The pastel medium allows for a vibrant color palette and a textured surface. Broad strokes of yellow-green define the background, while warmer tones are used to depict the figure’s skin. This contrasts with the darker areas that delineate her form and suggest shadows. The lack of precise detail lends an immediacy and informality to the scene.
Subtleties within the composition hint at a narrative beyond the purely representational. The womans averted gaze prevents direct engagement, fostering a sense of privacy and introspection. Her nudity is not presented as overtly sensual but rather as a condition of naturalness or ritualistic cleansing. The setting itself – a secluded spot in nature – implies a retreat from public view, a space for personal reflection or renewal.
The work’s power resides in its ability to capture a fleeting moment – an instant suspended between states – and to evoke a sense of quiet contemplation about the human body within the natural world.