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Youth in an Attitude of Defense

1859–60
Not on view
This energetic study of a male nude (as well as another drawing by the artist in the Lehman Collection, 1975.1.609) relate to Degas' Young Spartans Exercising (National Gallery, London), a painting he produced around 1860 and which preoccupied him for several years. Investigating light and contour in the clearly delineated figures, Degas poses his subjects as trials for transfer to canvas.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Youth in an Attitude of Defense
  • Artist: Edgar Degas (French, Paris 1834–1917 Paris)
  • Date: 1859–60
  • Medium: Pencil on buff laid paper
  • Dimensions: 12 15/16 × 8 1/4 in. (32.8 × 21 cm)
    Framed: 24 × 18 in. (61 × 45.7 cm)
  • Classification: Drawings
  • Credit Line: Robert Lehman Collection, 1975
  • Object Number: 1975.1.610
  • Curatorial Department: The Robert Lehman Collection

More Artwork

More Artwork
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Huit Sonnets. . .Illustré de dix-nuef dessins inédits de Edgar Degas
Edgar Degas
Wittenborn and Co., La Jeune Parque
1946
Seated Woman in Bonnet and Shawl, Edgar Degas French, Aquatint, drypoint, and etching; printed from canceled plate
Seated Woman in Bonnet and Shawl
Edgar Degas
ca. 1879
At the Café des Ambassadeurs, Edgar Degas French, Etching, softground, drypoint, and aquatint; fifth (final) state; canceled plate
At the Café des Ambassadeurs
Edgar Degas
1879–80
Greek Landscape, Edgar Degas French, Etching (only state; impression from cancelled plate)
Greek Landscape
Edgar Degas
1856
On Stage III, Edgar Degas French, Softground etching,drypoint, and roulette on wove paper; fourth state of five
On Stage III
Edgar Degas
1876–77

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