Bather by the Water 1903

Edgar Degas made this pastel drawing of a Bather by the Water sometime in the late 19th century. What strikes me about the piece is how Degas uses the pastel sticks to create a sense of immediacy, capturing a fleeting moment of a woman drying herself. There’s an incredible amount of energy in the marks, especially around the hair and the water. The colours are earthy, with a focus on warm browns and ochres, but there are also touches of cool blues and greens that create a sense of depth. Notice the texture; the pastel is applied in layers, building up a rich surface that feels almost sculptural. Look closely at the way he renders the back, there are a series of small, hatched marks that seem to vibrate with light and shadow. It reminds me of the work of Pierre Bonnard, who also had a fascination with the intimate moments of everyday life. Ultimately, it invites us to slow down, to observe, and to appreciate the beauty of the imperfect and the unfinished.