Seated, Turned to the Left
Original title: Édouard Manet, Seated, Turned to the Left
kurzbeschreibung
Edgar Degas's etching 'Sitzender, nach links gewandt' (Seated Man, Turned to the Left) from around 1868 presents a man who has taken a chair and angles his body slightly to the left. It is a drypoint etching in the first of two states.
Description
A seated man turns a little to the left. He wears a jacket, trousers, and sandals; a hat rests beside him on the chair. The layout stays plain and draws the eye to the sitter's calm posture. The view is monochrome black and white, with even light and no strong shadows. The style feels realistic with impressionist touches, evident in the natural pose and precise linework.
Context
The etching dates from around 1868, a period when Degas was deeply engaged with printmaking and often portrayed friends and acquaintances. The sheet may show the artist colleague Édouard Manet, as the title suggests, but the identification is not considered certain. In these years Degas experimented with drypoint, which allowed a spontaneous and immediate stroke.
Impact
The simple arrangement and the sitter's quiet, natural pose give the sheet an immediate and intimate presence. Fine hatching creates a lively texture that brings the viewer closer to the subject. Overall, the work conveys a silent concentration characteristic of Degas's portraiture.
Technique
The work is executed as an etching with drypoint, in the first of two states. This method permits fine lines and hatching, with which contours and textures are precisely worked out. The sheet is printed on paper; the plate measures 17.1 x 12 cm.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)