After the Bath: Woman Drying Herself c. 1900

Edgar Degas rendered this drawing of a woman drying herself with charcoal on paper. The intimate act of bathing and cleansing carries rich historical symbolism. In ancient times, bathing was not only about hygiene but also about spiritual purification. This act appears in countless forms across history, from Roman bathhouses to religious rites. Consider the women at their toilette in Renaissance paintings: the intimate gesture is imbued with classical ideals of beauty. Here, the woman's posture and the way she dries herself evokes a sense of vulnerability and introspection. These are themes that transcend time, engaging viewers on a deep, subconscious level. So, the act of cleansing resurfaces, not just as a physical necessity, but as a cyclical motif. It evokes purification, renewal, and the deeply personal experience of inhabiting the human form.