The Cup of Tea (Breakfast after Bathing) 1883

Edgar Degas created this pastel drawing, “The Cup of Tea (Breakfast after Bathing)”, sometime during his career. Here we find two women in a private, domestic sphere. The late 19th century was a period of significant social change. The bourgeoisie were concerned with privacy and the home. Degas often depicted women in intimate settings, like this one, which raises questions about the artist’s gaze and the representation of women. The standing woman's body is vulnerable and exposed. Note the cup of tea placed near her waist, as if she is an object to be consumed. Although rendered in a nontraditional style, this piece aligns with the historical objectification of the female form, and raises questions about voyeurism, class, and power dynamics. “Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.” Degas once said, inviting us to reflect on the layers of meaning within. It prompts us to consider how personal experiences and societal norms shape our understanding of intimacy, identity, and representation in art.