Woman Combing Her Hair 1894

Edgar Degas made this pastel drawing, "Woman Combing Her Hair," in France, sometime in the late 19th century. This image, with its intimate and seemingly unposed depiction of a woman, challenges the traditional, often idealized, representation of women in art. Degas was part of the Impressionist movement which questioned the established norms of the French Academy and the official Salon system that dictated what was considered acceptable art. The Impressionists sought to capture fleeting moments and everyday life. Degas' choice of subject matter, combined with his innovative use of pastel, reflects a broader shift in artistic values toward realism and a focus on modern life. His use of visual codes such as the model's bare neck and lack of eye contact may challenge the viewer's gaze. By examining historical archives, and the social and artistic debates of the time, we can better understand how Degas' work contributed to a changing landscape of art. The meaning of art is always contingent on its social and institutional context.