Woman Combing Her Hair (ca. 1888–90)
Technique: Giclée quality print
Recommended by our customers
More about this artwork
"Woman Combing Her Hair" by Edgar Degas, painted circa 1888-90, captures the intimate and private moment of a woman grooming herself. This artwork is a beautiful example of Degas’s interest in the daily routines of women, a thematic focus that is evident throughout his career. In this painting, the woman is rendered with soft, elongated strokes that emphasize the fluidity of her movements and the curve of her back. She angles one arm over her head to brush her long, auburn hair that spills down her back, creating a striking contrast against her pale skin.The background is abstract, made up of a mélange of earthy green and blue hues, perhaps suggesting the blurred forms of a bedroom or boudoir, which reinforces the privacy and introspection of the scene. Degas’s mastery in using pastels can be seen in the light but vibrant color application, giving the painting a texture that almost simulates the softness of the subject's skin and hair."Woman Combing Her Hair" aligns with Impressionism's fascination with light and ordinary life, yet Degas’s style remains uniquely his own, as he often explored the figure in isolation, caught in a mundane, yet deeply personal activity.