Portraits at the Stock Exchange
Original title: Portraits at the Stock Exchange
kurzbeschreibung
Edgar Degas, Porträts an der Börse, ca. 1878–79: three gentlemen stand in a room, with columns and doors behind them. The picture is executed as pastel on paper, pieced and laid down on canvas; its dimensions are 72.1 x 58.1 cm. Suits and hats indicate a formal business setting.
Description
The sheet's layout is broadly spread. Three men occupy the front zone, while the rear area is treated only sketchily. In the middle, one holds a cigar; at left, someone adjusts his glasses; at right, the third looks directly at the viewer, also with a cigar. The palette remains mostly restrained and blue; the light is soft and diffuse, with fluid transitions of color. The pastel touch creates blur and a palpable texture.
Context
In the late 1870s, Degas turned increasingly to pastel and to scenes of modern Parisian daily life. The stock exchange as a setting points to the growing financial sector of the Third Republic, which preoccupied his contemporaries. The artist observed urban life closely and here showed men in a professional environment. The motif belongs to a group of works that addresses work, leisure, and social interaction.
Impact
The subdued blues and diffuse light produce a calm, almost inward-turned mood that underscores the seriousness of the moment. The direct gaze of the man on the right establishes a quiet connection with the viewer and makes the figures seem more present. The pastel-like blur creates a dense atmosphere; the observation feels fleetingly captured.
Technique
For this sheet, Degas used pastel crayon on paper that was assembled from several parts and mounted on canvas. This allowed him to apply colors directly and with fine gradations, while the paper texture shows through. The mounting on canvas gave the work stability and permitted a larger format. The crayon leaves a matte, velvety surface.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)