Edgar Degas – Female Nude Combing Her Hair, 1877-79 Sotheby’s

The composition presents a scene unfolding within what appears to be a private chamber or boudoir. A female figure occupies the foreground, seated on a low cushion patterned with vibrant colors. She is engaged in the act of combing her hair, her posture suggesting both vulnerability and absorbed concentration. The artist has rendered her nude form with an economy of line and color, emphasizing the curve of her back and the fall of her loosened hair.
Behind her, a table draped with a white cloth holds a mirror and what seems to be a washbasin or similar grooming apparatus. A partially obscured view through a window reveals hints of an exterior landscape – trees and sky rendered in muted tones. The space is further defined by heavy draperies patterned with red and dark hues, which contribute to the sense of enclosure and intimacy.
To the right of the central figure stands a man, sharply delineated in contrast to the softer rendering of the woman. He is dressed formally, his posture suggesting observation rather than active participation. His presence introduces an element of voyeurism or surveillance into the scene. The relationship between the two figures remains ambiguous; he could be a servant, a lover, or simply an observer.
The color palette is dominated by muted pastels – creams, yellows, and pale greens – punctuated by the bolder reds and dark tones in the draperies and the man’s attire. This contrast creates visual tension and directs attention to specific areas of the composition. The brushwork appears loose and spontaneous, conveying a sense of immediacy and capturing fleeting moments.
Subtly, the work explores themes of privacy, observation, and the female form. The setting suggests a space traditionally associated with feminine rituals – grooming, self-reflection – yet this private moment is intruded upon by an external gaze. This intrusion raises questions about power dynamics and the objectification of women. The man’s presence, though understated, casts a shadow over the scene, hinting at a narrative beyond what is immediately visible.