portrait of Diego Martelli
- Original dimensions
- 99.8 x 110.4 cm
- Movement
- impressionism
- Museum
- National Gallery of Scotland
- Year
- 1879
Scene depicted
The painting “portrait of Diego Martelli” illustrates not only a face but also a friendship. Martelli, a passionate promoter of the arts, appears here as a thoughtful man, immersed in his reflections, a symbol of intellectuality and passion for art. Degas succeeds in transcending the simple portrait to infuse it with a story. The blurred background allows the viewer to focus on the very essence of the model.
Historical context
Created in 1879, this painting is revealed in Edinburgh, at the National Gallery of Scotland, within an impressionist framework that redefines the art of portraiture. Through this canvas , Degas captures a vibrant essence of Parisian life of the time, marked by a unique artistic breath, rooted in the impressionist movement.
Place in the artist's career
This masterpiece fits into a period of mature transition in Degas's career, where he seeks not only to represent reality but to capture movement and emotion. To be compared with “The Dance Class” and “Absinthe,” this painting demonstrates the artist's evolution towards a more introspective and psychological style.
Anecdote
Degas once declared: “Painting is an illusion, and the illusion must be perfect.” That day, in his studio bathed in soft morning light, he crossed paths with the face of his friend Diego Martelli, and the moment was captured in this composition . The depth and liveliness of this painting arise from this encounter, from an exchanged glance.
Major exhibitions
fourth impressionist exhibition