Woman Seated in an Armchair, Wiping Her Neck c. 1890 - 1952

Degas made this bronze sculpture of a woman seated in an armchair, wiping her neck. The surface is wonderfully tactile. You can see the marks of Degas' fingers and tools all over the piece. The way the light catches the ridges and valleys of the bronze gives the figure a real sense of depth and volume. The gesture of wiping her neck is so human, so intimate. It's like we've caught her in a private moment. Look at the rough texture of the armchair compared to the smoother skin of the woman’s back, Degas really knew how to work with the material to create contrast and interest. It reminds me a little of Rodin, but with a more casual, everyday feel. It’s like a fleeting glimpse into a life, a moment captured in bronze for eternity.