After the Bath 1898

Editor: We're looking at Edgar Degas's "After the Bath," from 1898, at the Philips Collection. The texture of the pastel is so evident, and that intimate moment seems both vulnerable and strong. How do you interpret this work, particularly Degas's choices in composition and materials? Curator: It’s funny, isn’t it, how Degas lets us peek into this private world? The intimacy sings! Pastel, almost like a dry caress, fits perfectly. It's immediacy… he attacks the paper, not quite like wrestling it, but more of a passionate dance. As for composition, the angle's almost voyeuristic, pulling us in. Doesn’t it remind you of looking through a keyhole or stumbling upon something beautifully unguarded? What do you think about Degas not trying to make her classically "beautiful" or perfect? Editor: Absolutely! It’s that very realness that strikes me. I see it almost like a snapshot, an unposed moment in time. But does that rawness somehow challenge the male gaze usually present in art? Curator: Precisely. He portrays her in a domestic space devoid of the traditional idealised context, avoiding, maybe even gently mocking, the male gaze you mention. Her action of washing herself feels utterly natural, a snippet of a daily routine elevated to art, just like that found seashell you cherish… a plain act, unexpectedly exquisite. What feelings emerge from its earthy tones for you? Editor: Now that you mention the colors, they almost feel muted yet warm. It evokes a certain sense of comfort and acceptance, despite the exposed subject matter. I appreciate how Degas uses pastels to capture both light and shadow. Curator: Yes, he invites us to admire beauty without unnecessary frills. After all, isn’t finding art in the simplest moments one of life's greatest delights? And do you feel this work shifted your view of Impressionism beyond pretty landscapes? Editor: Definitely, I am now starting to perceive that beyond fleeting impressions there are some powerful observations of contemporary life. Curator: Wonderful. A fresh look revealed, just as he might've hoped.