Seated Woman in Bonnet and Shawl
Original title: Seated Woman in Bonnet and Shawl
kurzbeschreibung
Edgar Degas made this etching around 1879. It shows a woman from behind, wrapped in a hood and a scarf. For this print, the artist combined aquatint, drypoint, and etching; it was printed from a canceled plate.
Description
With her back to us and her head turned to the left, the woman sits roughly at the center. Her pose conveys calm and thoughtfulness. The background consists of several shades of gray that hint at a simple landscape. A diagonal line runs across the foreground, dividing the layout symmetrically. The light falls softly and evenly, without harsh shadows, and brings out the figure. Color is limited to gradations of gray.
Context
This print was made during a period when Degas was deeply engaged with printmaking. The use of a canceled plate suggests a later impression. Seated women in everyday, familiar moments recur throughout Degas's oeuvre.
Impact
Quiet and intimacy emanate from this view. The diffuse light contributes to the calm mood. Because the woman is shown from behind, a distance arises, yet that very distance invites attentive looking.
Technique
Aquatint, drypoint, and etching come together, allowing fine lines and soft shading. The impression from the canceled plate points to a later edition. The paper measures 32 x 24.9 cm and is thus larger than the plate of 15.9 x 11.9 cm.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)