Portrait of Edgar Degas (cancelled)
Original title: Portrait of Edgar Degas (cancelled)
kurzbeschreibung
Around 1875, Marcellin Desboutin made a drypoint portrait of Edgar Degas that was later cancelled on the plate. It shows Degas half-length, his head tilted, one hand resting against his cheek. The sheet bears the mark of cancellation.
Description
On beige paper appears the bust of a man believed to be Edgar Degas. His head sinks slightly to the left, the right hand lies against his cheek; he wears a coat and tie. The view fits into a square field. Grays dominate, produced by the drypoint technique. Light spreads evenly across the face, without distinct shadows.
Context
Desboutin, a French painter and printmaker, was in close contact with Impressionists such as Degas in 1870s Paris. This portrait was made around 1875, when the two artists portrayed each other. The subsequent cancellation of the plate suggests that Desboutin wanted to prevent further circulation of the work.
Impact
The fine, linear touch of drypoint gives the portrait an intimate, pensive atmosphere. The plain layout draws the eye to the sitter's expression and posture. Even light and the restriction to gray tones emphasize the graphic character of the sheet.
Technique
In this drypoint, the drawing is scratched directly into the copper plate. The burr raised in the process creates soft lines and deep tones. Later the plate was made unusable, as is customary in printmaking to prevent unwanted impressions.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)