Young Man, Seated, in a Velvet Beret, after Rembrandt
Original title: Young Man, Seated, in a Velvet Beret, after Rembrandt
kurzbeschreibung
In 1857, Edgar Degas made an etching of a young man in a flat velvet cap seated on a chair — a tribute to Rembrandt. The image survives in a single state and measures 11.9 x 9.5 cm (plate).
Description
A young man sits wearing a shirt and jacket, a black, flat cap on his head. Lines and hatching build the clothing and the face. The background stays plain and dark, which throws the figure forward. The arrangement is central, the figure filling the foreground. A small monogram appears at the lower right.
Context
During his stay in Italy in 1857, Degas produced this etching while studying the prints of the old masters in depth. Rembrandt served as his model, evidence of the artist's early respect for the Dutch tradition. The sheet is an early sign of Degas's engagement with etching, a medium he would use often later. That only one state is recorded suggests limited circulation.
Impact
The dark, pared-down field creates an intimate, concentrated atmosphere. Soft hatching and the central arrangement give the scene a calm, almost monumental presence. With no distracting details, the viewer's eye is drawn straight to the figure.
Technique
The etching was executed in a single state, with fine lines and hatching. Varying densities and directions of stroke produce the grays. The monogram at the lower right is engraved into the plate.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)