Artwork
Nude Woman Standing, Drying Herself
Nude Woman Standing, Drying Herself is a print by the Impressionist artist Edgar Degas. It dates from 1892 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Nude Woman Standing, Drying Herself is a print executed by Edgar Degas in 1892. The work is part of the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. It presents a solitary female figure seen from behind, captured in a moment of private routine as she uses a towel to dry herself.
Subject & Meaning
The composition depicts a woman standing with her back turned toward the viewer, one arm bent at the elbow while the other hand holds a towel. The pose suggests a fleeting, intimate gesture—drying hair or body—emphasizing the everyday nature of the scene and inviting contemplation of the private sphere.
Technique & Style
Degas employs loose, rapid lines that give the image a sketch‑like quality. Areas of solid, dark ink contrast with lighter, smudged passages, creating a sense of movement and texture rather than refined detail. This approach aligns with Impressionist practices of capturing transient moments through swift, gestural execution.
History & Provenance
Created toward the end of Degas’s career, the print entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings, where it remains on display. Its acquisition reflects the museum’s commitment to representing late 19th‑century French printmaking and the broader Impressionist movement.
Own this work as a print
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.
