The Tub

"The Tub" by Edgar Degas is a captivating example of his work in a suite of Pastel on paper from the 1880s, now housed at the Hill-Stead Museum in Connecticut. This Nude painting (nu) depicts a woman bathing, one of several scenes illustrating women washing, drying, or combing their hair. Degas's mastery of Impressionism is evident in his loose brushwork and focus on capturing fleeting moments of everyday life. Created as part of preparations for the 1886 Impressionist Exhibition, the work exemplifies his innovative approach to portraying the human body and mundane routines in a fresh, intimate manner.