A Roman Beggar Woman 1857

Edgar Degas's 1857 oil painting "A Roman Beggar Woman" depicts a woman in a humble pose, seated against a wall, her head lowered in contemplation. The artwork, housed at the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, is a characteristic early work of Degas, showcasing his early interest in depicting the lives of ordinary people. The focus on the woman's melancholic expression and the detailed rendering of her worn clothing, along with the inclusion of a bowl and a piece of bread, offer a poignant commentary on poverty and hardship. This work is significant in demonstrating Degas's early development as a realist painter, setting the stage for his later exploration of subjects such as dancers and horses.