Study of a Female Nude 1856 - 1858

This delicate study of a female nude, created by Edgar Degas between 1856 and 1858, exemplifies the artist's early exploration of the human form. Degas, renowned for his later depictions of dancers, was initially drawn to the academic tradition of figure drawing. The figure, depicted in a simple pose, is rendered in a soft, almost translucent charcoal, highlighting the delicate lines and contours of the body. The inclusion of additional sketches, including the head and torso, adds to the feeling of immediacy and emphasizes the artist's focus on anatomical accuracy.