The Masseuse, Group c. mid 1890s

Edgar Degas modeled this bronze sculpture, The Masseuse, sometime in the late 19th or early 20th century, a period of significant change in France. The sculpture depicts a woman receiving a massage, a scene that offers insight into the social dynamics of the time. In 19th-century France, the rise of the bourgeoisie led to new forms of leisure and self-care, including massage. However, this was also a time of stark class divisions, and the act of receiving a massage would have been a privilege reserved for the wealthy. Degas's choice of subject matter reflects his interest in depicting modern life, but it also raises questions about the power dynamics inherent in such scenes. Art historians often use archival sources like newspapers, advertisements, and medical treatises to understand the cultural context in which art was produced, recognizing that art is always shaped by the social and institutional forces of its time.