Edgar Degas came from a wealthy middle class background. His private income meant that he did not have to depend on painting sales for an income and he was free to commit himself to the Impressionist cause without the discomfort of poverty suffered by Renoir, Pissarro and others.

Degas was particularly interested in scenes which appeared unposed, and natural - even to the point of awkwardness. His paintings of dancers in rehearsal, and women at various stages of washing and dressing are composed as if they were snapshots, when in fact they were carefully contrived. His models appear entirely absorbed in their activities as if we were catching a glimpse of a private moment.

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