The Artist's Cousin, Probably Mrs. William Bell (Mathilde Musson, 1841–1878)

Art Historical Context

In 1873, Edgar Degas created this intimate pastel portrait of his cousin, Mathilde Musson (1–1878), who was married to William Bell. Executed during Degas' brief but pivotal stay in New Orleans—where his family had deep ties to the cotton trade—the work captures a moment of familial warmth amid his exploration of American life. Degas, a key figure in Impressionism, often turned to personal subjects like relatives and ballet dancers, blending realist precision with emerging modernist techniques. Rendered in pastel on green wove papernow darkened to brown), the 18⅝ × 15⅛-inch drawing showcases ...

About the Artist

Edgar Degas · 1834–1917

Edgar Degas (1834-1917) stands as one of the most innovative artists of the nineteenth century, whose distinctive vision transformed how modern life could be depicted on canvas. Born Hilaire-Germain-Edgar De Gas in Paris to a wealthy banking family—his father French, his mother a Louisiana Creole from New Orleans—Degas received a classical education before abandoning law studies in 1855 to pursue ...