Leaving the Bath 1879 - 1880

Edgar Degas created this print, ‘Leaving the Bath’, using etching and aquatint on paper. The composition, dominated by a bather emerging from her bath, presents an intimate, almost voyeuristic glimpse into a private moment. Degas masterfully uses line and shadow to define form. The scene is structured around contrasts: the smooth, pale skin of the bather against the rough, dark textures of the surrounding interior. Notice how Degas employs aquatint to create areas of tone and depth, particularly in the shadowed regions. This technique not only adds volume to the figures but also contributes to the overall mood. The composition, cropped and asymmetrical, reflects Degas’ interest in capturing fleeting, unposed moments. The seeming informality belies a carefully constructed arrangement of shapes and lines, inviting us to consider the psychological space between observer and observed. Degas invites us to question traditional representations of the female nude and to engage with a modern vision of everyday life.