Degas' Woman Bathing in a Shallow Tub

Laura Randall wrote on Thursday, March 10, 2011

I found it interesting that it was mentioned in the video how the subject's face is hidden from view, and that this dehumanizes her in a way. To me, it is as though the woman in the image has become an object of someone's gaze, more than she is a person in herself. In the discussion, the figure was referred to as a 'nude', due to the fact that she is bathing, and this is a real life, normal activity for a woman to be taking part in. However, I would consider her to be 'naked', and not a nude at all. I agree that she is obviously bathing and therefore willingly without her clothing, however, she is also obviously unaware of the viewer's presence. This again reinforces the fact that she is an object in this image, and nothing more. The viewer is placed in the position of a voyeur, which explains the slightly elevated vantage point. I do not think that this was simply an aesthetic choice for Degas – I think that this was done purposefully to enhance the feeling of voyeurism. Do we feel uncomfortable, viewing this woman without her knowledge, while she is in such an “intimate” and private moment? I would argue that Degas has placed her in a state of vulnerability, and as a viewer, I find the work uncomfortable to look at.