The painting “Woman at a Window” by Edgar Degas was created in 1872. This oil on cardboard artwork is an example of the Impressionist movement and measures 61.3 x 45.9 cm. It can be classified as a genre painting, and it is currently held in the Courtauld Gallery in London, United Kingdom.
In this artwork, we see a woman presented in semi-silhouette, gazing out of a window. The painting captures the essence of everyday life in a personal, introspective moment. The use of light and shadows, a characteristic of the impressionist style, plays a significant role in this piece. The brushwork suggests the textures of the woman’s attire, the drapery around the window, and the outdoor scene that is visible through the window pane. The woman’s features are not distinctly detailed, placing more emphasis on her posture and the emotional atmosphere rather than her identity. The contrasting effects of the darkened interior and the bright outdoor light create a poignant visual narrative, inviting the viewer to ponder what might be holding the woman’s attention outside the window.
