Nude Woman Pulling on Her Clothes 1885

Curator: Look closely at this piece; it’s titled "Nude Woman Pulling on Her Clothes" created by Edgar Degas around 1885 using pastel. Editor: There's something almost frantic in her posture, don't you think? Like she’s been caught in a vulnerable moment, or perhaps just rudely awakened from a beautiful daydream, back into some… social expectation? Curator: Well, Degas was interested in capturing everyday life. Unlike traditional nudes which were highly idealized, this seems to be a more candid representation of a woman's private routine. This challenged conventional artistic and societal norms surrounding female representation during the late 19th century. Editor: It's definitely unconventional. The awkward angle, the roughness of the pastel strokes. And the greens, almost jarring against her skin—it lacks a certain… softness we usually expect in nude studies. And I have to say that roughness almost adds to the feeling that she’s being observed. Does the history surrounding its initial receptions give that impression? Curator: You touch upon an interesting idea. Initially exhibited among the Impressionists, Degas's nudes faced a mixed response, largely due to the unidealized representation and the seemingly voyeuristic perspective he often adopted. However, from a historical view, that challenged the rigid standards imposed on art and the female body within the public art sphere, ultimately influencing later generations of artists who questioned traditional academic norms. Editor: You know, that makes it a pretty contemporary topic still. It’s not only the woman adjusting her dress but maybe we are, too. Like our understanding or our lens with which we analyze images… We have to readjust everything all the time to the contemporary world. It does get exhausting. Curator: Perhaps in this rapid adjustment it would do us some good to admire Degas’ boldness. It truly encapsulates a moment that, beyond just aesthetic value, represents a significant departure in art history. Editor: Absolutely. And that awkwardness, or whatever you want to call it? It's grown on me. I might like this "lack of softness." Thanks!