This along with proportion provides the painting with deepness in the frame of reference. The background also adds to this allusion of a realistic environment. Conclusion

Degas effectively used the materials and formal elements to illustrate a theme. This theme is that of woman and women potential as a pure symbol of love. However, the beauty of this artwork is that it can be interrupted oppositely. A viewer can also see that because she is nude, she is dirty and undesirable in society. I do not believe this was the artist's intention. I believe he was completely focused on studying her physically for motion's sake and also for his own gratification. He was his proficiency in the study of movement that makes the painting all the more fascinating. Although there is a stillness and realistic feeling, there is also an anticipation of the next movement. In this respect, he was successful. This painting is also successful in that it influences the viewer's emotions. In many ways, it is lustful and peaceful...

This paper has explored the subject matter with respect to imagery and symbolism but also formal elements and design principles. He effectively used these concepts to evoke emotions from the viewer on many levels.
Works Cited

Callen, Anthea. The Spectacular Body: Science, Method, and Meaning in the Work of Degas. New Haven: Yale Press, 1995.

Edgar Degas. 10 Dec. 2004 http://www.expo-degas.com/2.cfm/.

Edgar Degas: Biography. 10 Dec. 2004 http://www.abcgallery.com/D/degas/degasbio.html.

Hartt, Frederick. Art: A History of Painting, Sculpture, and Architecture. Englewood Cliffs: Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1989.

Pioch, Nicolas. Impressionism. 10 Dec. 2004 http://www.ibiblio.org/wm/paint/glo/impressionism

The Impressionism. 10 Dec. 2004 http://www.perso.wanadoo.fr/art-deco.france/impressionismeng.htm