Portrait of Edgar Degas, wearing a hat

Art Historical Context

Step into the intimate world of 19th-century Paris with *Portrait of Edgar Degas, Wearing Hat* (1876), a masterful drypoint etching by Marcellin Desbout, with possible involvement from his subject, the renowned Impressionist Edgar Degas. This first proof— an early, unrevised impression from a plate just 8 7/8 × 5 11/16 inches—captures Degas a casual yet commanding pose, hat tilted jauntily, evoking the bohemian camaraderie of the French art scene. Drypoint, Desboutin's chosen medium, involves scratching directly into a copper plate with a sharp needle, raising a soft burr that yields velvety, expressive lines and rich tonal depth in the print. Unlike the precise lines of etching, this technique's organic texture mirrors the spontaneity of Impressionism, highlighting Desboutin's skill as a printmaker and his close friendship with Degas. Produced amid the Impressionists' rise, it offers a rare glimpse into the personal lives of artists who revolutionized modern art. Acquired by The Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1998, this print celebrates the era's innovative spirit, where portraits of fellow creators became badges of artistic kinship. Notice Degas's intense gaze— a nod to his own realist precision amid Impressionist experimentation. A gem for print enthusiasts!

About the Artist

Marcellin Desboutin|Edgar Degas · 1823–1902

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