.webp&w=3840&q=75)
Degas in the Black Coat (Self-Portrait)
- Original dimensions
- 33.65 x 41.27 cm
- Museum
- Albright-Knox Art Gallery
- Year
- 1854
Scene depicted
The painting “Degas à la redingote noire (Autoportrait)” offers a captivating glimpse of the artist himself, dressed in his black coat, a symbol of the Parisian bourgeoisie. This composition reveals a man who is both observer and observed, where each brushstroke becomes an extension of his complex identity, a dialogue between him and his art.
Historical context
Created in 1854, this painting bears witness to the rise of the Impressionist movement in Paris, a vibrant city of art and culture in the 19th century. This canvas is now preserved at the Albright-Knox Art Gallery , an iconic place in the United States, where art lovers can contemplate its timeless depth.
Place in the artist's career
Situated at a turning point in Degas's career, this painting marks his transition to a more introspective exploration. In comparison, “The Dance Class” and “The Dancers” illustrate his evolution towards the representation of movement and the expression of human emotions, integrating more life and light into his canvases .
Anecdote
“Art is meant to disturb, nature to soothe.” On a cool spring morning in Paris, Degas was inspired by a fleeting encounter, a glance exchanged in a bustling street. This pictorial work , his self-portrait, reflects not only his face but also his tormented soul, capturing a moment of both noisy and sweet emotion.