Artwork
After the Bath (La sortie du bain (Petite planche))
After the Bath (La sortie du bain (Petite planche)) is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Edgar Degas. It dates from 1891 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Created circa 1891, this lithograph on laid paper presents a solitary nude figure in an intimate interior.
About this work
Overview
Created circa 1891, this lithograph on laid paper presents a solitary nude figure in an intimate interior. The composition captures a moment after bathing, with the subject turned away, partially covered by a towel, and poised in a relaxed stance. The work exemplifies Degas’s interest in private, everyday scenes rendered through printmaking.
Subject & Meaning
The figure, a woman emerging from a bath, is depicted with her back to the viewer, one arm bent at the hip and the other extended, head slightly inclined. The pose conveys a quiet, self‑contained moment, inviting contemplation of the body’s form and the subtle gestures that define personal routine.
Technique & Style
Executed in lithography, Degas employs soft, fluid lines and delicate shading to model the contours of the body against a warm, muted background. The tonal subtlety and restrained palette reflect his mastery of the medium, emphasizing volume and light without overt detail.
History & Provenance
Part of Degas’s series of bath‑related compositions, the print was produced during the later phase of his career when he turned increasingly to printmaking. It was issued as a small “petite planche” and circulated among collectors of his works, contributing to the broader dissemination of his studies of everyday life.
Context
Although often linked with Impressionism, Degas identified as a realist, focusing on indoor scenes rather than plein‑air landscapes. This work aligns with his broader exploration of the human figure in candid moments, complementing his well‑known studies of dancers and everyday activities.
Artist & collection
Artist
Born Hilaire-Germain-Edgar De Gas on 19 July 1834 in Paris, Edgar Degas came from an affluent banking family with aristocratic roots and spent his childhood among the cultivated circles of the French capital.
