Album of Forty-five Figure Studies
Original title: Album of Forty-five Figure Studies
kurzbeschreibung
Edgar Degas's Album of Forty-Five Figure Studies was made around 1882–85. Executed in black chalk on very thin, eggshell-colored paper, the sheets gather mostly female nudes in varied poses. They reflect Degas's sustained engagement with the human body and its movement.
Description
On the open double-page spread, a carefully worked sketch on the right draws the eye: a nude woman with long, loose hair sitting upright, legs crossed, gazing to the left. The black-and-white drawing captures the forceful pose. To its left, only a fleeting hint of another female figure appears, her pose remaining vague. Both pages are held in a brown binding.
Context
During the 1880s Degas devoted himself increasingly to the female nude, often in casual, natural poses. The studies in this album served as preparatory work for larger pastels and paintings. The artist turned more and more to chalk and pastel at that time, showing his inclination to experiment with drawing media. The forty-five sheets reveal a methodical working process and a drive to capture movement precisely.
Impact
These drawings feel immediate and spontaneous, conveying a sense of liveliness and motion. The contrast between the fully resolved figure on the right and the sketchy suggestion on the left creates an appealing tension. Viewers of the pages gain an intimate insight into Degas's creative process.
Technique
Black chalk on thin, eggshell-colored paper allows fine, precise linework. The material permits both bold strokes and soft shading, as seen in the figures carried to varying degrees of finish. The paper's quality contributes to the lightness of the sketches.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)