Boston Canada Travel

After the Bath Degas Nude now at the MFA

When you think of Degas, what images come to mind? For me, it’s the voyeuristic view into the private world of ballet, or the stop gap images at the horse races. Rarely do I associate nudes with Degas. However, I am remiss, as I learned how revolutionary Degas was  viewed by his contemporaries, all thanks to his nudes.

After all, Degas started out as a historical painter, sketching classics like Botticelli to improve his technique. These academic sketches were soon replaced by much more real life sketches of women bathing, using a view from behind. Gone was the perfect, creamy God-like perfection of the academic sketches, now transformed into modern depictions of Victorian life. The skin color is more real, sometimes blotchy, showing imperfections of the model instead of idealizing them.

What else is revolutionary about these sketches is the sometimes shocking subject matter, especially for the Victorian time period. Prostitutes performing paid acts to their patrons, or even a few same gender scenes, willingly sketched by Degas, revealing a very hidden part of Victorian life.

Yet for me, the most innovating part of Degas’ work is the variety of mediums he chooses to work with. Not just oils, but pastels, oils using the same strokes as pastels, and in some cases combined mediums. He loved the new techniques like lithographs and monotypes and not only mastered their use, but combined them, like monotypes finished with pastels, resulting in an almost three-dimensional effect.

Thanks to the Musée d’Orsay in Paris and several private collectors in Boston, this unique exhibit showcases not only Degas’ talent, but his revolutionary depiction of the nude in modern day life. The only thing missing? At least one or two of his famous ballet scenes, just as a point of reference.

Degas and the Nude: October 9, 2011 – February 5, 2012