Woman Ironing

Woman Ironing is an oil on canvas painting created by Edgar Degas between 1876 and 1887. This period, spanning 1876 to 1900, marked the artist’s deep engagement with themes of urban labor and everyday private life, moving away from classical and academic subjects. The work is classified as a painting and represents the height of French artistic output during the late nineteenth century.

Degas often sought to capture subjects unaware, lending the scene an intimate, unposed quality characteristic of his observational style. The composition focuses intently on a solitary woman engaged in the arduous physical work of ironing, a member of the laundress class Degas frequently depicted. Unlike some of his contemporaries, Degas employed highly calculated draftsmanship beneath the loose, atmospheric brushwork, giving the figure weight and realism. The diffused light, perhaps coming from an unseen interior window, highlights the strong lines of the worker’s back and arms as she exerts pressure on the heavy iron. This focus on mundane, yet physically demanding, occupations provides social commentary without overt sentimentalism.

This genre scene exemplifies Degas's stylistic maturity and his dedication to depicting candid moments of Parisian life. The artist’s ability to imbue a simple domestic task with psychological intensity established his reputation as a unique chronicler of modern existence. This important canvas currently resides in the collection of the National Gallery of Art, where it serves as a prime example of the era’s innovative approach to realism. High-quality prints of this artwork are often made available through resources such as the National Gallery of Art's public domain archives, ensuring the study and appreciation of this masterwork.