2008.109: Portrait of Hilaire Germain Edgar Degas (1834-1917)

Identification and Creation

Object Number

2008.109

People

Marcellin Gilbert Desboutin, French (1822 - 1902)

Title

Portrait of Hilaire Germain Edgar Degas (1834-1917)

Classification

Prints

Work Type

print

Date

1876

Culture

French

Persistent Link

https://hvrd.art/o/30679

Physical Descriptions

Technique

Drypoint

Dimensions

plate: 9 x 7.1 cm (3 9/16 x 2 13/16 in.)

Inscriptions and Marks

• Signed: M Desboutin
• incipit: lower margin below right plate corner, graphite, hand written, in artist's hand: signature: M. Desboutin
• inscription: lower left corner of sheet, graphite, hand written: identification of subject: portrait de Degas

State, Edition, Standard Reference Number

Standard Reference Number

C.-J. 61

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line

Harvard Art Museums/Fogg Museum, Gift of James A. Bergquist, Boston, in honor of Marjorie B. Cohn's retirement

Accession Year

2008

Object Number

2008.109

Division

European and American Art

Contact

am_europeanamerican@harvard.edu

Permissions

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Descriptions

Commentary

Desboutin was one of Degas's close friends, whom he painted in his famous genre tableau of an apparent toper and prostitute at a Parisian cafe. In fact, Desboutin and the woman in the painting, another friend of Degas, were simply models for the artist, not disreputable habitués. Just as Degas often painted and drew, and occasionally etched, portraits of his friends, so also did Desboutin, making two drypoints of Degas. (The other is a full-length sketch.) He also rendered their mutual friend Nina de Callas in drypoint.

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