When Edgar Degas first exhibited At the Milliner's in 1882, Paris was in the midst of a fashion revolution, and millinery shops were both a symbol of modern femininity and a new subject for serious art. Degas was fascinated by these ateliers, returning to them again and again in his work; he created more than forty paintings and pastels on the theme of milliners and their clients. Unlike his famous ballet scenes, these interiors were considered daringly contemporary, even a little controversial, for their focus on working women and the commerce of beauty.

Critics at the time noted the unusual intimacy of these scenes, which offered a glimpse into a world usually hidden from male eyes. Here, Degas captures a quiet, almost private moment: a young woman, likely a milliner’s assistant, bends over her work, surrounded by a profusion of hats and ribbons. The composition draws the viewer’s eye to the delicate gesture of her hands, absorbed in shaping a new creation. Light spills across the table, illuminating the textures of silk and straw, while the background fades into soft shadow, emphasizing the solitude and concentration of the worker.

Unlike the lively, bustling millinery scenes painted by Jean Béraud, Degas chooses a moment of introspection, focusing on the artistry and labor behind Parisian fashion rather than its display. The result is both a portrait of modern life and a meditation on the act of creation. The precise medium of At the Milliner's is not always listed, but it is typical of Degas to experiment with oil, pastel, and mixed techniques during this period. The painting’s provenance is not fully documented, but works from this series were often acquired by collectors attuned to the new Impressionist vision of urban life.

Today, At the Milliner's stands as a testament to Degas’s fascination with the changing roles of women and the hidden dramas of everyday work. It marks a mature phase in his career, when he turned from the spectacle of the stage to the quieter, more intimate spaces of the city, capturing the poetry of ordinary labor.