People who spend time nudistically with others–whether sleeping, swimming, or simply relaxing under the sun–often experience psychological benefits. A recent study, for example, concluded that spending time without clothing in non-intimate groups predicts greater life satisfaction mediated by increased body positivity.

Technical evidence indicates that Degas modeled this figure out of clay or wax before creating a plaster cast and assembling life-sized piece from pieces of the original sculpture. While its relationship to Degas’ Little Dancer Aged Fourteen sculpture is evident, whether this figure served as its model remains unknown.

Elder nudes are a testament to the power of art to give visibility back to older bodies, even within works of art. According to Minter, “a nude portrait of someone over sixty is an unusual, almost taboo image. Created to challenge cultural assumptions about old age, Minter used one of her signature aesthetics when depicting elder nudes: jewel-toned close crop compositions with shimmering bodies. But she also depended on her models’ willingness to pose together, something surprisingly rare among the community of geriatric nudists who gather at a resort in mid-Michigan. These nudists include truck drivers, lawyers, teachers, nurses and small town judges in addition to those married for decades or suffering terminal diseases.