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In "Nude Lady. Woman Bathing in a Shallow Tub," Edgar Degas captures a scene of quiet intimacy and private vulnerability. The painting depicts a woman, nude, bending over in a shallow tub, attending to her bath. The pose is one of naturalism and spontaneity, her back arched as she leans forward. Her hair, loosely gathered or perhaps bound up to avoid getting wet, adds an element of practicality to the composition.

The setting is humble yet tenderly rendered with soft pastels, highlighting the delicate play of light on her skin and the subtle variations in the textures of her surroundings. The tub’s ceramic sheen is faintly visible, blending into the harmonious hues of the bathroom's interior. Degas’s use of color is tender and warm, enveloping the subject in a soft, almost inviting ambiance.

Degas's brushwork is both meticulous and relaxed, capturing the fine details of the woman's figure while maintaining an overall sense of fluidity and motion. This piece demonstrates Degas's profound understanding of the female form, not idealized, but presented with a sense of candid realism that evokes a deep admiration for ordinary moments.

Original Location and Museum:
The original painting can be found in the Hill-Stead Museum in Farmington, Connecticut, USA. The Hill-Stead Museum is known for its collection of Impressionist works and has been a significant institution in holding Degas’s work.

Artist: Edgar Degas (1834-1917)
Edgar Degas was a French artist famous for his work in painting, sculpture, printmaking, and drawing. Particularly renowned for his depiction of dancers, Degas is considered one of the founders of Impressionism, although he preferred to be called a "realist."

Artistic Movement and Career Context:
This painting fits into Degas's later career phase where he concentrated heavily on everyday scenes, particularly those featuring women in intimate, private moments. His focus shifted from capturing fleeting moments of public life to more personal, unguarded episodes. While Degas is most famously associated with the Impressionist movement, his work often showcased a different approach than his contemporaries, exhibiting a keen interest in the human form and unusual perspectives.

Other Noteworthy Details:
- Use of Pastels: Degas was a master of pastel, and this work is a significant example of his ability to exploit the medium to achieve softness and depth. The soft pastels lend a delicate and almost ethereal quality to the depiction of the woman's skin and the surrounding space.
- Perspective and Composition: The slightly elevated perspective in this painting is a hallmark of Degas's technique, giving the viewer an almost voyeuristic glimpse into this private moment. This unusual viewpoint adds to the sense of catching a candid, unposed moment.
- Themes: The theme of women bathing recurs throughout Degas's oeuvre, reflecting his fascination with the rituals of self-care and the unadorned beauty of the female form. These works often convey a profound respect for the subjects, capturing them in moments of self-absorption and quiet.

Conclusion:
"Nude Lady. Woman Bathing in a Shallow Tub" is a poignant and intimate portrayal that reflects Degas’s adept skill in capturing the human form with tenderness and precision. It holds a significant place within his body of work, embodying his fascination with everyday authenticity and his technical mastery of pastel. This piece is a serene and contemplative glimpse into an ordinary yet profoundly human moment, beautifully preserved in the Hill-Stead Museum.