Woman Combing Her Hair in front of a Mirror 1877

Edgar Degas created this intimate scene with oil on canvas. It captures a woman, seemingly absorbed in the act of styling her hair before a mirror, inviting us into a private moment. During Degas’ time, the female nude was a celebrated subject in art, but often idealized. Degas, however, presents us with a more candid, unembellished view of a woman's toilette. There is a tension in the painting between the male gaze and the artist's desire to represent a subject beyond the traditional societal expectations of women. The woman's focus on her reflection raises questions about identity, beauty standards, and the performative aspects of femininity. Degas’ work encourages us to think about the complexities of representing women, not as objects of desire, but as individuals with their own inner lives. The painting serves as a reminder of the ongoing dialogue between art and societal expectations, prompting us to consider the diverse narratives of identity.