Woman Seated, Wiping Her Left Side Possibly 1890 - 1911

This is Edgar Degas' bronze sculpture "Woman Seated, Wiping Her Left Side." During the late 19th century, as traditional artistic conventions were being questioned, Degas turned his attention to the intimate, private moments of women. His depictions, however, were not without controversy. While some appreciate the raw and honest portrayal of the female form, others criticized Degas for objectifying women. Here, we see a woman caught in a moment of personal hygiene, her body exposed and vulnerable. Degas challenges the traditional romanticized nude, presenting instead a figure engaged in a mundane, almost awkward act. It’s important to consider how class and gender intersect in this work. These intimate moments were more likely to be witnessed and thus depicted for working-class women. While the sculpture may provoke discomfort, it also invites us to reflect on the societal expectations placed on women's bodies and the complexities of representing them in art.