Make an attempt, second version 1877

Edgar Degas produced this drawing of four nude women, likely sometime in the late nineteenth century in France. The sketch presents the female form in a way that challenged conventional academic nudes, which tended to idealize and allegorize their subjects. Degas was interested in portraying the body in motion and in its natural state. Here the figures are less posed than caught in a moment of informal rest. This interest in realism and the everyday aligns Degas with broader artistic trends of his time, yet it also raises questions about the male gaze and the power dynamics inherent in representing women in this way. Were these models aware of being observed? And, if so, how might that have affected their poses and expressions? To fully understand the social context of this image, we might consult period documents, such as studio records, exhibition reviews, and feminist writings. These sources can provide insights into the social structures, gender relations, and artistic debates that shaped Degas’s work.