The father of Degas listening to Lorenzo Pagans play the guitar
- Original dimensions
- 65.1 x 81.6 cm
- Museum
- Museum of Fine Arts Boston
- Year
- 1870
Scene depicted
The painting “Degas' Father Listening to Lorenzo Pagans Play the Guitar” captures an intimate moment where the artist Degas himself, in a role of spectator, observes his father listening to Lorenzo Pagans play the guitar. This scene is imbued with an atmosphere of conviviality and music, revealing a personal and emotional dimension of the artist towards his family and music.
Historical context
Created in 1870, this painting is imbued with the spirit of Paris, at a time when Impressionism was beginning to emerge. The painting , currently on display at the Museum of Fine Arts Boston , presents itself in a light that captures the very essence of a particular moment, revealing the artistic sensitivity of Edgar Degas , a pioneer of the movement. Its dimensions of 65.1 x 81.6 cm invite a deep contemplation of this work, which tells a personal story while fitting into a vast artistic current.
Place in the artist's career
This painting is situated at an important crossroads in Edgar Degas ' career. He is still at the beginnings of a brilliant journey, where his productions such as “The Dancers” and “The Dance Class” will show the evolution of his style. “Degas' Father Listening to Lorenzo Pagans” represents a tender exploration of familiar themes that will be found in his later works.
Anecdote
“Every note of music enters the soul, it remains engraved there,” Degas is said to have declared during a moment of creation, his head full of images and emotions. A soft spring light likely illuminated his studio as he imagined Degas' Father Listening to Lorenzo Pagans Play the Guitar . This painting resonates not only with the sounds of the guitar but also with memories of family warmth and artistic passion.