The period during which Degas lived was one of great turbulence in France. The onset of the Franco-Prussian War in 1870, the Commune insurrection in 1871, and the ensuing Civil War affected the country for decades. The Dreyfus Affair, which began in 1894 when a Jewish army officer was falsely accused of treason, also divided the French community. (See the His Life for more detailed information on these events).
Social Issues
When studying Degas's works of art, one is not made aware of these political issues; there is no overt attempt on his part to deal with a broad political context. One is made keenly aware, however, of many social issues and practices of his day. Degas's images of laundresses, for example, point to the growth of the bourgeoisie and the development of service industries, which employed mainly women. During the time Degas painted, the Paris fashion industry flourished, as reflected in, for example, his images of milliners. These works depict the hierarchical structure of French society, which distinguishes the bourgeoisie from the lower classes.
The Ballet
In the 1850s ballet was dominated by female dancers, after men had historically been the principal performers. Attending the ballet, specifically as a subscriber, was in fashion during Degas's time. The subscribers, typically middle-aged men, were permitted behind the scenes to watch the dancers practice. These encounters often resulted in the older men seeking sexual favors from the young dancers. This behavior is downplayed in Degas's works; however, the subscribers are often visible in the rehearsal scenes.
Bathing
Much controversy and contention surround Degas's pictures of women bathing. Even today, there is great disagreement about the identities of these women and Degas's reasons for drawing and painting them. Many scholars focus on how these late works speak to contemporary attitudes on bathing practices and personal hygiene during the 1880s. Perhaps the most useful way of looking at Degas is to consider all aspects of his work: stylistic characteristics; emotive, or psychological, content; subject matter; and social issues.
