Self-Portrait

Edgar Degas French
Portrait of Edgar Degas French

Not on view

Degas’s early study of printmaking led him to a close examination of Rembrandt’s etched portraits, including their shifts between more and less finished compositions. This exceptionally rare first state of the artist’s 1857 self-portrait has an evanescent quality, an effect that is reinforced by the complete lack of finish in the sitter’s hands and the drawing tools they hold, which are visible in later states.

Self-Portrait, Edgar Degas (French, Paris 1834–1917 Paris), Etching on wove paper; first state of four

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