On Stage III
Original title: On Stage III
kurzbeschreibung
In 1876–77, Edgar Degas produced this etching, which presents a scene with three figures in a woodland-like setting. The print is executed as a softground etching, drypoint, and roulette on wove paper, and it is the fourth state of five.
Description
Three figures dominate the foreground: one in a long, dark garment leans to the right, while another in a light dress with long dark hair turns left yet looks right. A third figure, facing left, appears only partially. Behind them, sketchy strokes suggest trees and bushes, creating a natural, slightly somber mood. The layout feels asymmetrical, the light diffuse, and the palette remains monochromatic in shades of gray.
Context
This print emerged during a period when Degas was deeply engaged with ballet and the theater, yet it depicts an unusual situation for him, away from the stage. Its existence in multiple states points to an experimental approach. It belongs to a series of prints Degas made in the 1870s, often stemming from exchanges with Impressionist painter colleagues.
Impact
The dark, diffuse light and sketchy execution evoke a pensive, almost melancholic atmosphere. The expressive linework and unusual perspective give the image a modern, almost dramatic quality that departs from the typically cheerful note of Impressionist works.
Technique
Drypoint, softground etching, and roulette on wove paper come together here. These techniques allow for fine, velvety lines and soft tonal gradations that support the monochromatic effect. The presence of the fourth state of five attests to how Degas reworked the plate multiple times to achieve texture and depth.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)